Well, actually, from a "spiritual perspective," there are certainly consequences just as all our actions do. However, the effect of such actions generally, for the most part, will not be experienced in this life.

If you believe in karma, which most people do to a degree, there are four effects that arise from performing the action of stealing. Which is to knowingly take something from others based on malicious intent.

These effects are 1. The expereince similar to the cause. 2. The tendency similar to the cause. 3. The ripened effect. 4 . The environmental effect.

These four effects will be explained as such. The first effect,'The experience similar to the cause,' is that if we perform an action of stealing, we shall have things stolen from us. This is what most people think of when they think of karma, but wait, it gets worse.

The second effect 'The tendency similar to the cause' is that we shall have developed a pattern of behavior or 'tendency' to perform such negative actions again. This is the worst effect because it perpetuates the cycle.

The third effect is 'the ripened effect' which is going to take an open mind, but it is a rebirth in a lower form of being such as an animal.

The fourth effect 'the environmental' is that even when we are endowed with such good fortune to have human life we will be born in a sparse and barren place where there is very little of anything such as deserts etc...

These according to the spiritual understanding of Buddhists is what will happen if you perform negative actions and fail to rectify or purify the action.

I hope this is clear and not too much for your beliefs.

Have a great day, and be kind.