Why was Laban so concerned about his stolen household gods?
Laban was concerned because these small idols were the family gods, and in that pagan custom possessing them signified inheritance, favor, and authority. The favored child received the household gods, so having them meant having everything. Their theft therefore threatened Laban's family claim and status.
Les teaches that Laban caught up with Jacob's caravan and in verse 30 asked why Jacob had stolen his gods—small g-o-d-s, meaning idols. Les explains that most people miss why Laban cared about a bunch of little images. They were the family gods, and according to pagan custom, just as the blessing and birthright mattered to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in a pagan family the child who was given the most and was most favored was the one to whom the gods were given. Possessing the family gods meant having everything, so their theft struck at Laban's family standing and inheritance.
And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father’s house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?