17 Ways You Might Be Stealing (And How to Fix It)

When most people think of stealing, they imagine a burglar breaking in at night or someone snatching a purse. However, theft takes on many subtle, everyday forms that often go unnoticed or rationalized. At its core, stealing means taking something that does not belong to you—whether that is physical property, time, money, or trust. To live with integrity and honor, it helps to recognize how theft sneaks into modern living. Below are 17 different ways stealing can occur.

1. Direct Theft Out in the Open

A common misconception in modern society is that if an item is left outside unlocked or unattended, it is "up for grabs." But unattended property is not abandoned property. Unless something has genuinely been discarded as trash—where salvaging it causes no harm—taking unattended property is theft.

> "You shall not steal." — Exodus 20:15

2. Theft by Finding ("Finders Keepers")

Finding a lost object or sum of money does not automatically make it yours. Failing to make reasonable efforts to locate the owner or report the item to authorities is considered theft by finding.

> "You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep going astray, and hide yourself from them; you shall certainly bring them back to your brother." — Deuteronomy 22:1

3. Burglary

Burglary escalates open theft because it involves unlawfully breaking and entering onto someone else's property. Forcing entry into a home or business violates personal security and ownership rights.

4. Robbery

Robbery is even more severe because it combines theft with violence or threats of violence. In doing so, it violates both the commandment against theft and the biblical principle of valuing human life and safety.

5. Slacking Off or Taking Workplace Supplies

Your employer pays you in good faith for your time and skills. Using paid working hours to conduct personal business or chatting excessively about non-work matters steals time from your employer. Likewise, taking workplace tools, stationery, or inventory without permission breaches professional trust.

> "Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God." — Colossians 3:22

6. Overworking at the Expense of Family

Conversely, working excessively to build a reputation or fortune can result in stealing time from your family, church, and personal well-being. Sacrificing essential domestic and spiritual responsibilities for work overextends your commitments improperly.

7. Pilfering from Family & Loved Ones

Taking items, snacks, or money from family members without asking destroys internal trust. The home should be a safe space where personal boundaries are respected.

8. Tax Evasion & Fraudulent Claims

Failing to pay legitimate taxes or claiming government financial aid to which you are not entitled steals resources from the public state.

> "Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor." — Romans 13:7

9. Unfair Business Practices

Business owners who delay orders after receiving payment, withhold refunds, or sell faulty items as new are depriving customers of their fair value and money.

> "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight." — Proverbs 11:1

10. Defaulting on Debts

Borrowing money without intending or planning to repay it harms creditors and violates financial trust.

> "The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous shows mercy and gives." — Psalm 37:21

11. Keeping Borrowed Items

Holding onto borrowed books, tools, or items indefinitely without returning them converts a courteous favor into theft.

12. Insurance Fraud

Exaggerating damages, inflating injury claims, or inventing losses to gain higher payouts from insurance companies constitutes dishonest gain through fraud.

13. Begging Under False Pretenses

Fabricating hardship, family emergencies, or distress stories to solicit money from charitable people is deceptive and robs true assistance from those genuinely in need.

14. Digital Piracy & Copyright Infringement

Downloading copyrighted media, distributing unlicensed software, or duplicating creative property deprives artists and creators of their rightful earnings.

> "For the laborer is worthy of his wages." — Luke 10:7

15. Handling Stolen Goods

Purchasing or accepting items you suspect or know were stolen enables theft and makes you complicit in dishonest behavior.

16. Chronic Idleness

Refusing to make an effort to support oneself or one's family when physically able burdens others unnecessarily.

> "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." — II Thessalonians 3:10

17. Withholding Tithes & Offerings

Failing to support spiritual duties or turning a blind eye to those in need withholds honor and resources meant for God's work.

> "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings." — Malachi 3:8

Conclusion

Stealing goes beyond physical break-ins; it touches our words, work habits, digital actions, and stewardship. By recognizing these 17 forms of theft, we can cultivate honesty, respect others' boundaries, and live uprightly in all areas of life.

You are loved.

Ray Reynolds, PhD

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