"And there was quarreling between the shepherds of Abram's flock and the shepherds of Lot's flock."  Genesis 13:7

 

Yahveh promised that he would give the Land of Israel to the seed of Abraham. The shepherds of Lot (Abraham's nephew) started using private land for grazing of their animals. This resulted in quarreling between Abraham's and Lot's shepherds. Lot's shepherds claimed that since Abraham had no children, and Lot was Abraham's closest relative, they were allowed to use these lands. Abraham's shepherds answered that it was forbidden until Abraham actually inherited the land.

 

One form of theft about which people are not so careful concerns stealing from the public. People are mistaken when they think that it is permitted since they aren't stealing from anyone in particular. Another rationalization is that one might think it is permitted since it also belongs to them. Taking from the public is the worst form of stealing, because one is stealing from many people, and it is impossible to return any item that's already consumed to many people. Therefore one must be extra careful as to how he treats public property. A true believer will be careful that his dealings with other people, private and public, are carried out with integrity, even if he is in financial distress and his debtors are pouncing on him from all directions.