God forbids not only outright theft and robbery¹ but also such wicked schemes and devices as false weights and measures, deceptive merchandising, counterfeit money, and usury;² we must not defraud our neighbor in any way, whether by force or by show of right.³ In addition God forbids all greed⁴ and all abuse or squandering of His gifts.⁵

1. Exodus 22:1

   Exodus 22&version=NLT" class="ref-link">Exodus 22

   Protection of Property

   1*22:1a Verse 22:1 is numbered 21:37 in Hebrew text.“If someone steals an ox*22:1b Or bull, or cow; also in 22:4, 9, 10. or sheep and then kills or sells it, the thief must pay back five oxen for each ox stolen, and four sheep for each sheep stolen.

   1 Corinthians 5:9-10

   9When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin.

   10But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that.

   1 Corinthians 6:9-10

   9Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,

   10or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.

2. Deuteronomy 25:13-16

   13“You must use accurate scales when you weigh out merchandise,

   14and you must use full and honest measures.

   15Yes, always use honest weights and measures, so that you may enjoy a long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

   16All who cheat with dishonest weights and measures are detestable to the Lord your God.

   Psalm 15:5

   5Those who lend money without charging interest,

   and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.

   Such people will stand firm forever.

   Proverbs 11:1

   Proverbs 11&version=NLT" class="ref-link">Proverbs 11

   1The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales,

   but he delights in accurate weights.

   Proverbs 12:22

   22The Lord detests lying lips,

   but he delights in those who tell the truth.

   Ezekiel 45:9-12

   Rules for the Princes

   9“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Enough, you princes of Israel! Stop your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Quit robbing and cheating my people out of their land. Stop expelling them from their homes, says the Sovereign Lord.

   10Use only honest weights and scales and honest measures, both dry and liquid.*45:10 Hebrew Use honest scales, an honest ephah, and an honest bath.

   11The homer*45:11a The homer measures about 50 gallons or 220 liters. will be your standard unit for measuring volume. The ephah and the bath*45:11b The ephah is a dry measure; the bath is a liquid measure. will each measure one-tenth of a homer.

   12The standard unit for weight will be the silver shekel.*45:12a The shekel weighs about 0.4 ounces or 11 grams. One shekel will consist of twenty gerahs, and sixty shekels will be equal to one mina.*45:12b Elsewhere the mina is equated to 50 shekels.

   Luke 6:35

   35“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.

3. Micah 6:9-11

   Israel’s Guilt and Punishment

   9Fear the Lord if you are wise!

   His voice calls to everyone in Jerusalem:

   “The armies of destruction are coming;

   the Lord is sending them.*6:9 Hebrew “Listen to the rod. / Who appointed it?”

   10What shall I say about the homes of the wicked

   filled with treasures gained by cheating?

   What about the disgusting practice

   of measuring out grain with dishonest measures?*6:10 Hebrew of using the short ephah? The ephah was a unit for measuring grain.

   11How can I tolerate your merchants

   who use dishonest scales and weights?

   Luke 3:14

   14“What should we do?” asked some soldiers.

   John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”

   James 5:1-6

   James 5&version=NLT" class="ref-link">James 5

   Warning to the Rich

   1Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you.

   2Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags.

   3Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment.

   4For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

   5You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.

   6You have condemned and killed innocent people,*5:6a Or killed the Righteous One. who do not resist you.*5:6b Or Don’t they resist you? or Doesn’t God oppose you? or Aren’t they now accusing you before God?

4. Luke 12:15

   15Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

   Ephesians 5:5

   5You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

5. Proverbs 21:20

   20The wise have wealth and luxury,

   but fools spend whatever they get.

   Proverbs 23:20-21

   20Do not carouse with drunkards

   or feast with gluttons,

   21for they are on their way to poverty,

   and too much sleep clothes them in rags.

   Luke 16:10-13

   10“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.

   11And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?

   12And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?

   13“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”

I must promote my neighbor’s good wherever I can and may, deal with him as I would like others to deal with me, and work faithfully so that I may be able to give to those in need.¹

1. Isaiah 58:5-10

   5You humble yourselves

   by going through the motions of penance,

   bowing your heads

   like reeds bending in the wind.

   You dress in burlap

   and cover yourselves with ashes.

   Is this what you call fasting?

   Do you really think this will please the Lord?

   6“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:

   Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;

   lighten the burden of those who work for you.

   Let the oppressed go free,

   and remove the chains that bind people.

   7Share your food with the hungry,

   and give shelter to the homeless.

   Give clothes to those who need them,

   and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

   8“Then your salvation will come like the dawn,

   and your wounds will quickly heal.

   Your godliness will lead you forward,

   and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.

   9Then when you call, the Lord will answer.

   ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

   “Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.

   Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!

   10Feed the hungry,

   and help those in trouble.

   Then your light will shine out from the darkness,

   and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.

   Matthew 7:12

   The Golden Rule

   12“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

   Galatians 6:9-10

   9So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

   10Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

   Ephesians 4:28

   28If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.