To Stop Stealing

THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT

“You shall not steal."

What does God forbid in the eighth commandment?

• God forbids not only outright theft and robbery, 
• punishable by law.
• But in God’s sight theft also includes 
• all scheming and swindling 
• in order to get our neighbor’s goods for ourselves, 
• whether by force or means that appear legitimate, 
• such as 
• inaccurate measurements of weight, size, or volume; 
• fraudulent merchandizing; 
• counterfeit money; 
• excessive interest; 
• or any other means forbidden by God. 
• In addition God forbids all greed 
• and pointless squandering of his gifts. 

What does God require of you in this commandment?

• That I do whatever I can 
• for my neighbor’s good, 
• that I treat others 
• as I would like them to treat me, 
• and that I work faithfully 
• so that I may share with those in need.

For the Bible Tells Me So...

Psalm 24: 1 — The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein. 

Proverbs 11:1 — A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight. 

Matthew 7:12 — So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. 

Luke 12:15 — Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. 

Ephesians 4:28 — Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands so that he may be able to give to those in need.

The Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 42