Thou Shalt Not Steal: A Commandment that Condemns Slavery.

It is not uncommon today to hear people say that the Bible condones slavery. The problem with this charge is a lack of biblical study and contextual analysis. True that the law of Moses made provision for slaves, since slavery was often the punishment for crime (they were tribal and nomadic and a modern penal system did not exist) and the only option for prisoners of war. But the thievery of a person's freedom and labor for the purpose to get gain.

At the beginning Adam is commanded to support his family by his own labor. In the Ten Commandments we are commanded not to steal. Is there any greater theft than the theft of a person's freedom, labor, dignity, and very life? And Christ commands us to “love our neighbor as ourselves.” Is there anyone who desires to be a slave? Surely we cannot keep this command if we buy and sell another human being.

Christians who have used the Bible to justify slavery have done so on scant text and only through blind or willful disregard for the context and overarching principles of the gospel. The creation of man begins with the truth that we — the human race — is created in the image of God. This is the first truth that establishes the worth of every human soul, the sanctity of every life, and our equality before God.

Here are some other scriptures that make it clear that the Bible does not condone us in exploiting labor without pay, stealing and selling human beings, or making merchandise of any person for any reason.

“Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which… you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord.” — James 5:4

“Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour’s service without wages, and giveth him not for his work.” — Jeremiah 22:13

“He that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.” — Exodus 21:16

“If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you.” — Deuteronomy 7:24

“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” — Ephesians 4:28