What
does God forbid in the eighth commandment?
He forbids not only the theft and robbery which civil authorities punish,
but God also labels as theft all wicked tricks and schemes by which we seek to
get for ourselves our neighbor's goods, whether by force or under the pretext to
right, such as false weights and measures, deceptive advertising or
merchandising, counterfeit money, exorbitant interest, or any other means
forbidden by God. He also forbids
all greed and misuse and waste of His gifts.
But
what does God require of you in this command?
That I work for the good of my neighbor wherever I can and may, deal with
him as I would have others deal with me, and do my work well so that I may be
able to help the poor in their need.
I.
God Prohibits Theft
A. Thieves do not go to heaven. Nor
thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall
inherit the kingdom of God. (1
Corinthians 6:10)
B. The church cannot excuse theft -- in its multitudinous forms -- or
accept bribes to be silent about it. I wrote unto you in an epistle not to
company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this
world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must
ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep
company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an
idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not
to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye
judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put
away from among yourselves that wicked person.
(1 Corinthians 5:9-13)
II.
God's Definition of Theft Is Broad
A. Being free to claim a supposed right does not actually make something
right. And the soldiers likewise
demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do
violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
(Luke 3:14)
Society
provides legal contexts for practices which are actually no better than theft.
Human civil law cannot invalidate heaven's moral law. How does this stand with
God is a more important question than can I do it legally?
B. God demands full and genuine measure. A false balance is abomination
to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
(Proverbs 11:1)
C. Sharp business practices incite God's wrath.
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his
delight. (Proverbs 12:22)
We
do not worship the God of fine print.
D. Those who serve the God of grace have no business getting even with
others. But love ye your enemies,
and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great,
and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful
and to the evil. (Luke 6:35)
God
is a participant in every transaction.
E.
Sharp and deceptive business practices which take advantage of one of the
contracting parties put both parties at a disadvantage over time.
He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the
innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
(Psalm 15:5)
F.
Any commercial practice rooted in covetousness is wrong.
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's
life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. (Luke 12:15)
The
10th Commandment overlaps this territory - Godly contentment.
III.
Prevent Conditions for Theft
A. Practice the Golden Rule. Therefore
all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them:
for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew
7:12)
B. When you identify your problem take the information as Providential
direction toward a new life. Let
him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands
the thing which is good, That He May Have to Give to Him That Needeth.
(Ephesians 4:28)
C. Believers do not function as individual units apart from the covenant
community. Look not every man on
his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
(Philippians 2:4 )
D. Remember the Westminster perspective.
What is required in the eighth commandment? The eighth commandment
requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of
ourselves and others. (Westminster Shorter Catechism 74)
1. The patriarch made those around him prosperous through his industry.
For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a
multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I
provide for mine own house also? (Genesis 30:30)
2. Notice who Paul extends
the term his own beyond the nuclear family and makes provision for this larger
community a test of doctrinal faithfulness.
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own
house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (1 Timothy 5:8)
3. The condition of our
neighbors inherently affects our condition. And if thy brother be waxen poor,
and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a
stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. (Leviticus 25:35)
