You Shall Not Steal
Respecting others' property reflects justice and promotes trust in human community.
The eighth commandment protects property rights and forbids all forms of unjust taking—theft, fraud, exploitation, unfair wages. It implies the right to own property and the duty to earn honestly. Jesus and the apostles extend this to generous sharing with those in need. Stealing damages trust, the foundation of social cooperation. The Torah counts withheld wages as theft: a labourer's pay must not stay overnight with you (Leviticus 19:13). This command calls for honest work, fair dealing, contentment with what we have, and generosity toward others.
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
John Wesley taught that Christians should 'earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can'—transforming economic activity into spiritual practice.
Book of Exodus