I assume there is no argument that stealing is a direct violation of a divine command not to do it. But in keeping with the tendency to grind things finer and finer, what is and is not stealing?
Stealing
Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Alcott, Dec 30, 2020.
?
-
Taking a hammer from your neighbor's garage without his/her permission
5 vote(s)100.0% -
Taking something your neighbor said you can use, but not bringing it back pomptly
2 vote(s)40.0% -
Parking in a metered space with 'enough time left' from the previous person's money
1 vote(s)20.0% -
Failing to give at least a tenth of your income to your church or other gospel cause
1 vote(s)20.0% -
Taking more condiments from an eatery than you need there, to bring them home
4 vote(s)80.0% -
Taking home 'extra' condiments from an eatery that were served to you
2 vote(s)40.0% -
Mowing someone's yard for pay, but ignoring a patch of grass the owner normally cannot see
4 vote(s)80.0% -
Partaking of a group's "putluck" meal without furnishing any part of it
1 vote(s)20.0% -
Pocketing medications your employer may have available that you may need afterhours
5 vote(s)100.0% -
Delaying calling someone with relevant news you said you would share when you found out
3 vote(s)60.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
-
-
I voted for all except # 2 and # 4.
# 2, borrowing something from a neighbor and not bringing it back promptly could perhaps be worded a bit differently...
Perhaps the person forgot, or was called out of town before they could bring it back.
If the person never intended to keep it, then to me it's not stealing, it is borrowing.
As for # 4,
I don't agree with nor would I ever teach tithing as binding on the New Testament believer, as we are under the terms of 2 Corinthians 9 and not under a mandatory tenth ( tax ) for giving.
That's why it's called "giving" and not "taxing", because it is not coerced in any way.
The Lord loves a cheerful giver,
and gifts are freely given and freely received.:) -
-
The Ross Gellar Line, the line between stealing and taking.
-
This is one thing that led to this poll. I asked for some pepper with my DQ lunch deal, chicken strips, but I do not use ketchup with these. They do not want to take them back and possibly re-serve them these days. So this is not stealing. But in a situation where they are not served, but available for one to grab many more than needed there, I think doing so would be. -
-
Why leave a tip, if can give back the non-use of condiments, water, and extra-napkins. :)
Thief's rationalize their actions. I remember a thief that got caught, yelling the guy deserved to be robbed because he left his wallet on his bunk. -
Partaking of a group's "potluck" meal without furnishing any part of it
Delaying calling someone with relevant news you said you would share when you found out
But in the case I mentioned, consider it in light of something I remember doing once and having second thoughts about the morals of it. I was working a security job, as a part timer then, and I knew that meant I would occasionally get calls to work a shift where someone had called off. We had no cell phones and call notes and texting then, but we did have answering machines for our phones. I got one of those messages on a day I did not want to go in to work-- I think it was just laziness on my part-- so I let an hour pass after hearing the message before I called back, and expectedly the supervisor said that post had already been filled. So I pleased myself for that day, but maybe whoever did go in to work also did not want to go, perhaps with a better reason that I had; and it was likely, I'm sure, that the person being relieved had to stay over some time, and may have had other responsibilities to attend. I didn't know any of these things, but I may have stolen (?) someone's time that was needed more than mine, because I was available.
Or think of the case as a minor league soap opera... 2 women are interested in the same man, who does prefer one over the other, but does not want to 'hurt the feelings' of the other. The one he does not prefer invites him for a picnic in the park, and he says he will let her know if he will be free that day. Actually he is waiting to find out if the woman he prefers is available to do something with him that day. He eventually finds out the one he prefers is available and wants to be with him, so he calls the other and says he will be busy at that time, so perhaps they can have their picnic another day. Is he "stealing" knowledge she should have, that she is not his first choice, and that she may be wasting her time and interest thinking about him?