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Questions & Answers

Stealing

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Christian Living › Stealing

The question

Is it okay to steal food if starving?

The answer

No, it is never okay to break God's commandments. We must follow the Ten Commandments seriously. These are not just a few suggestions, but clear direction of what we must and must not do. When one steals, that person is robbing another of his or her hard work and labor. Love is also a commandment: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another" (John 13:34). It is more honorable to beg for food than to steal.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 2417 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.