I would say its intentional. Wheres the worth in selling just a Stone Statue when its not really having a blessing capability as in having an Aura.
In my eyes it was silly the we could just go near it and be blessed by it.
Itsjust a Statue and its not a kind of Spirit beeing blessing us.
'So an Imbued Statue having an Aura is a good solution and true to the Game.
You need to steal it to permanently have that Aura and that seems more logical storywise.
Who knows whats happening if you carry that Statue all the way to the last act in future release... theres so many people you can meet again and other opportunity of story elements returning in future acts etc.
That Game will be a huge Monster of possibilities.
Larian, what have brought upon yourselfs. Thats allmost an impossible Task to fiinish