God’s Image • Commandment 8: Do Not StealOur study has repeatedly asked who gives, who receives, and who claims ownership. These distinctions remain important when we examine Glory.
“My Glory”
God declares:
“I am Jehovah, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise unto graven images.”
— Isaiah 42:8, ASV
The surrounding passage identifies His servant, whom He upholds and upon whom He places His Spirit. God calls, keeps, and appoints the servant for work that brings light and deliverance. Read Isaiah 42:1–8.
The servant’s commission comes from YHWH (יהוה). The work does not make its recipient the origin of the authority entrusted to him.
What the Father Gives
Jesus speaks to the Father about Glory the Father has given him and which he has given to those who belong to him. Read John 17:22–23.
We must preserve that wording alongside Isaiah. Scripture speaks both of God refusing to give His Glory to another and of Glory being given by the Father.
Our comparison must therefore retain who gives, to whom, and for what purpose. Receiving what God gives is different from claiming for oneself what belongs to Him. The recipient does not become the Source merely by receiving.
Herod and the Crowd’s Acclamation
Acts 12 describes Herod addressing an assembly in royal clothing. The people acclaim his speech as divine. The account then states the reason for the judgment against him:
“because he did not give God the glory”
— Acts 12:23, LSB, excerpt
The crowd’s approval does not establish the truth of its claim. Nor does public honor remove Herod’s responsibility toward God. Read Acts 12:21–23.
This belongs beside our earlier examination of Abram. Abram refused an arrangement that could allow another king to claim credit for his prosperity. Here, acclaim is directed toward Herod, and the text identifies his failure to give Glory to God.
What Have We Received?
Paul asks:
“What do you have that you did not receive?”
— 1 Corinthians 4:7, LSB, excerpt
He then challenges boasting as though what was received had not been received. Earlier, he describes servants of Christ as stewards whose responsibility is faithfulness. Read 1 Corinthians 4:1–7.
This brings our examination of stealing into the matter of credit. We are comparing the taking of what belongs to another with claiming as our own source or achievement what we received.
Questions for Examination
Do I acknowledge the Source of what I share?
Has gratitude for being entrusted with something become a claim to superiority?
When people praise me, do I encourage an exaggerated view of my role?
Am I willing to serve faithfully when someone else receives recognition?
Does my testimony direct people toward God, or make them dependent upon me?
Faithfulness includes remembering what was given—and refusing to turn a gift into a claim that displaces its Giver.
Threads to Follow
Restoration: What does Scripture require when something has been wrongfully taken?
Faithful speech: Preserve the difference between receiving understanding and originating truth.
Giving rather than taking: Return to Ephesians 4:28 as we gather the commandment’s practical implications.
The books were opened…
🌿 By Maria Emilia
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