Number eight...

Today will also be a day that breeds either anger or accountability, depending on whether or not you are ready to hear this.  But it is, as yesterday was and all prior have been, necessary.  And yes, that does include the necessary hurt that will come along with it.

"Thou shalt not steal."

Exodus 20:15

Like with all previous Commandments, this one speaks to the intent of the heart.  It literally means that we shouldn't take things that are not ours, but I'm going to try and put the finest point on it I possibly can, so that there is no confusion.  For starters, clearly we should not steal or rob or burglarize anything ever.  This goes from the big stuff that is so romanticized in movies like robbing banks and casinos all the way down to grabbing a quarter out of someone's car door without asking.  All of that, along with any degree in between, in theft.

American law separates certain kinds of theft into felony and misdemeanor crimes, making some things (stealing gum from a grocery store, for instance) less bad than others (like robbing a bank).  It also has stipulations that come into play if violence is added into the mix, and there are all kinds of mitigating circumstances that are considered... but this doesn't say that we are not to steal with violent intent only large things that could truly harm the economy or a person in it, does it?  No.  It says (paraphrasing in my own words) DO NOT STEAL.

Are you ready for the tough part of it, though?  Stealing is not limited to physical items, and the planning or action of taking something that does not belong to you is an act of deception, whether overt or covert, because you are attempting to "get away with it" without being caught.  And, for those of us (yes, I said "us") that have ever falsely called in sick to work, we have stolen from the company we work for.  Taking pens and paper from your office, supplies clearly purchased by your company, is also theft.  But we look past those items, thinking that they can't be that bad, because it's not like we're embezzling millions, right?  

Here's the good rule of thumb for this particular Commandment, friends: if it wasn't purchased by you, or by a member of your family as a gift for you, then it does not belong to you.  And if that is the case, then the answer to whether or not you may use said item as you please is simply "NO."  You should use said item for the purpose for which it was purchased, and for nothing more.  And as for the misrepresentation of health and time spent at work, if you are at work then you should be working.  That is what you are paid for... as it is what I am paid for. 

And, if I could ask... when a waiter forgets to charge for something on a bill, or your cashier fails to ring up an item at check-out, do you point it out?  We are obligated to through this, you know, so it's not a freebie from the universe.  Or when you complain about food or service to try and get a discount, even though everything did meet the basic expectations, are you aware that that, too, is theft?  The work was performed and the products were delivered, and if you used/ate/drank whatever it was, you should pay for it.

Better still, have you ever known someone who had their entire life and reputation stolen away through the act of gossip?  Interesting...

In summary... Do.  Not.  Steal.  Whether time or money or physical object or trust or friendship or ideas or anything, anything, anything that is not yours by nature or ownership or agreement through purchase or trade... Do.  Not.  Steal.

God bless you all!!!