Is it OK to keep a toy that belongs to someone else
if they don't ask for it back?

"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise".
Luke 6 : 31

Borrowing something from someone else but not giving it back is the same as stealing. We know that stealing is wrong. And it ends up hurting us even if no one finds out about it. Remember, God knows.

If a friend gives you something to keep, then that gift is yours. But if someone loans you something to use for a while, then you need to give it back…. Even if the person doesn't ask for it or forgets about it.

God has given the command not to steal because He wants to help and protect us from the penalties of stealing. Wouldn't you want your toy or book returned, even if you had forgotten about it?

ACTIVITY
Go on a "borrowing-toy hunt" in your room, looking through your belongings for other people's things. (Don't forget about your siblings' things). Return things that don't belong to you. It may be hard to do, but apologize if you took something without asking or have kept a toy or a book for a long time.

Betsy Elliot