by We can’t choose whether to dream or not, we can only try and give meaning to what we have experienced. Dreams are a way of communicating with the higher powers, and most of them have a profound meaning. Stealing in a dream is a very common occurrence, and the biblical meaning of stealing money in a dream is deeper than you may think.
As an act in the real world, stealing is a serious crime against the seventh of the ten commandments. In a dream, it can mean many different things, and determining the meaning will depend largely on the context you apply from real life.
In this article, we will delve deep to determine all the possible meanings of having such a vision and what actions to take afterward.
Biblical Meaning of Stealing Money in a Dream
Dreaming about stealing can be a reflection of something that is occurring in our real life. It is worth exploring the possibility that if we have these dreams, perhaps our relationship with money is not the best.
However, money doesn’t have to be a direct reason for having these dreams. Some deep psychological factors can also be the cause. In many cultures, dreaming of stealing money is associated with financial loss, dishonesty, and guilt.
From a Christian perspective, the biblical meaning of stealing money in a dream could represent a warning or a reminder to avoid such unethical and criminal behavior.
What does the Bible say about stealing?
The Bible is very strict when it comes to stealing, and a dream where you steal could be a message from a higher power urging you to be honest and avoid causing harm to others.
Applying biblical context to an interpretation of a dream about stealing money requires us to observe some stories from the Bible where stealing was referenced. “Thou shall not steal” is the eighth of the ten commandments and carries significant importance, but there are other segments where stealing is discussed.
Though there aren’t any examples of people dreaming about stealing money in the Bible, there are still some ways we can use what was said in order to come to various interpretations.
The Ten Commandments
The commandments are part of Exodus from 20:2 to 20:17. They are a set of moral principles that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai after he led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.
God’s eighth commandment, “Thou shall not steal”, is the first reference to stealing in the Bible. Therefore, the biblical meaning of stealing money in a dream can’t be a good sign, as stealing is strictly forbidden.
Exodus 22:1-4
This passage is in reference to the punishment for stealing. If a thief is caught and they’re unable to pay off the debt, they have to be sold into slavery.
Proverbs
In Proverbs 6:30, there is somewhat of a new approach to stealing as it is given a broader context.
“Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his soul when he is hungry.” This verse acknowledges the possibility that people may steal out of desperation.
Still, it continues with “…but if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house” to emphasize restitution for stolen goods.
In Proverbs 10:2, stealing is discussed as a shortcut to gaining prosperity and how it doesn’t pay off even if a person is successful at it. “Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.”
1 Corinthians 6:9
Stealing is named among the sins that would prevent someone from entering the kingdom of God. Other listed sins include sexual immorality, idolatry, greed, and drinking. This passage further emphasizes the importance of living a life devoted to God and avoiding actions that are contrary to his will.
Ephesians 4:28
This verse encourages thieves to change their ways and make an honest living so they can provide for themselves and help others. This segment is important because it offers a pathway to a good life for former sinners.
There are many other passages where stealing is referenced, but it is always in a similar context.
Spiritual Meaning and Symbolism of Stealing in a Dream
In the Bible, dreams are used as a means of communication for God to get his message across. In spiritual terms, dreaming about stealing may be a result of violating principles of integrity and honesty. In most religions, stealing is considered a sin.
Dreams about stealing are so common among people that they have been mentioned and described in many famous literary works like The Great Gatsby, Crime and Punishment, and The Catcher in the Rye. The authors of these works use dreams of stealing money as a way to explore feelings like guilt and greed.
It is important to remember that stealing in a dream isn’t necessarily a result of living an immoral life. It can also be a manifestation of the thoughts and feelings that occupy our minds.
Dreams are messages, but they aren’t always straightforward, and it takes some interpreting to understand the essence. The meaning of a dream primarily depends on the dreamer and their emotions.
Here are some possible interpretations of a dream about stealing money:
Financial strain or insecurity
Stealing in a dream may be an indicator of a person’s financial struggles and the emotional insecurities it brings. It can happen for various reasons, such as losing a job, being in debt, or not being able to afford some basic needs.
Dreaming about stealing can be a manifestation of money-related fears and anxieties related to providing for yourself and your family.
Desire for wealth
Dreaming about stealing can also be a manifestation of an unsatisfied desire for wealth. The dreamer could be feeling like they aren’t doing enough on a financial plan, leading them to yearn for more.
It’s interesting that this dream doesn’t only occur for people who want more money but more career success as well. Stealing money is a common dream for ambitious people, many of whom are honest.
It may be a case of putting too much pressure on yourself for career advancement or blaming yourself for not being recognized enough in your company.
Guilt
This could be related to a mistake from the past or a current situation that the dreamer may feel as if they’re not handling well. Dreaming about stealing money can be the result of real-life situations that have made us feel guilty.
The dream can be a reflection of the dreamer’s regret from a certain decision and their desire to rectify the consequences of their decision.
Lack of honesty and integrity
A lack of honesty and integrity can lead you to dream about all kinds of things, including stealing money. Stealing is considered a violation of the principles of honesty and integrity, and these dreams may be a manifestation of moral dilemmas.
The dreamer might be feeling conflicted about a decision they are supposed to make, resulting in them feeling anxious or weak. If this is the case, the dream may reflect a desire to do the right thing. It can also be reluctance with having to do what is considered to be the wrong thing.
No spiritual path
A disconnection from the spiritual path or purpose can cause a person to have dreams where they steal money. You might feel lost or unsure about the direction you’re heading with the principles you adhere to.
The dream may be a reflection of an inner desire to have purpose and a deeper connection with your spirituality. This could lead you to find your spiritual path again.
Imposter syndrome
Imposter syndrome is a feeling that you got to a certain position without actual merit. This scenario is very common for people that are lacking in confidence, and it can manifest in dreams about stealing many types of items, including money.
Lack of confidence
Lack of confidence is a common cause for dreaming about stealing money, and a biblical sense can be applied here. God is often referred to as “the provider”, and stealing is a manifestation of a lack of confidence to use the talents that God gave us and provide for ourselves in an honest way.
The dreamer may be feeling a need to develop a greater sense of trust in their own ability.
Stealing versus getting robbed
Stealing money in a dream generally carries a negative meaning and indicates shame, lack of confidence, or lack of direction.
In contrast, getting robbed in a dream may indicate vulnerability and helplessness in certain real-life situations.
Getting your money stolen in a dream can result from losing something you held dear to your heart, like an item, a personal relationship, or the sudden death of a loved one.
Feelings from the waking realm that can cause you to have nightmares are betrayal, financial stress, insecurity, mistrust, sudden change, and others.
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The scenario of the dream
How the stealing happens might provide more context and help decipher what the dream’s message was about. Revising the dream using these questions may help you remember some of the details and extract more meaning from it:
- Did you steal money from a close person or someone random?
- Did you steal money because you felt you had to or out of fun?
- Did you come forward or did you hide?
- Did you do it alone or did you have help from someone else?
- How did it feel?
FAQs
Is there a story in the Bible where someone dreams of stealing money?
The Bible has a lot of references to stealing, but they’re all about real life, and there are no mentions of people dreaming about stealing.
Still, dreams are used as a medium of communication between God and people on Earth, and we can make biblical interpretations of dreams based on that.
I stole money in a dream. Does it mean I will steal in real life?
Absolutely not. Stealing in a dream is a reflection of our feelings which in this context are usually ones of vulnerability, lack of confidence, and uncertainty. Sometimes it is a result of ambition or financial constraints.
Dreams are not to be accepted literally. Instead, they should be used as symbols and digested for deeper interpretation.
Should I be worried if I dream about stealing?
Having bad dreams is generally nothing to be concerned about. It can only help if you analyze what led you to have these dreams and provide meaning so you can move on from the feelings that led you to have nightmares.
Conclusion
Most dreams have a meaning, but finding it takes careful analysis of the dream and its application in real life. The Bible can help us get to the meaning as it provides moral guidance and examples of how dreams can be interpreted.
The biblical meaning of stealing money in a dream is not easy to discern, as there are a lot of references to stealing in the Bible, but there are no mentions of people dreaming about stealing.
The reasons for having a dream like this could be down to emotional stress and insecurity in real life. Financial constraints, greed, ambition, guilt, and lack of honesty can lead us to have dreams of stealing money.
