Mark 12:29–31 (NKJV) — 29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 30 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
The last three of the Ten Commandments tell us to not steal, lie, or covet. A scribe came to Jesus and asked “which is the is the first commandment of all.” Jesus answer was simple but profound. Jesus quoted the Shema, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. (Deuteronomy 6:4–6)
Our relationship with God is seen in how we treat others and the things which belong to God. If we truly love God, we will love the things that belong to Him. We will desire to be with those who love Him. We will respect the things which belong to Him. We will love His creation and treat it with respect. I have often said and still say, “Words are cheap.” It is easy to speak the words, but we back our words by our actions. How we treat others, even those who do not treat us well speaks to our love for God.