8th Commandment (Theft)

9 passages across 3 documents address 8th Commandment (Theft). The full text of each is below.

About this doctrine

I. The Decree, Design, and the Protection of Private Property

"This commandment sanctions and authorises a distinction in property or possessions." "The end or design of this commandment is, the preservation of the property or possessions which God has given to every one for the support of life: for if it is not lawful or becoming for us to steal, it is necessary that every man should possess that which lawfully belongs to him." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"God has set this eighth commandment as a hedge about a man's estate, and this hedge cannot be broken without sin." [Thomas Watson - The Ten Commandments (Modernized)]

"The purport is, that injustice being an abomination to God, we must render to every man his due." "For we must consider, that what each individual possesses has not fallen to him by chance, but by the distribution of the sovereign Lord of all, that no one can pervert his means to bad purposes without committing a fraud on a divine dispensation." [John Calvin - Institutes]

"To deny men a civil right to their possessions, and make all common, opens the door to anarchy and confusion." [Thomas Watson - The Lord's Prayer]

II. What Is Forbidden: The Definition and Various Kinds of Theft

"The civil lawyers define stealth or theft to be 'the laying hands unjustly on that which is another's;' the invading another's right." [Thomas Watson - The Ten Commandments (Modernized)]

"Theft is the taking of that which belongs to another, without his knowledge and will, with the intention to deprive him of it." "God forbids not only those thefts and robberies which are punishable by the magistrate, but he comprehends under the name of theft, all wicked tricks and devices, whereby we design to appropriate to ourselves the goods which belong to our neighbor; whether it be by force, or under the appearance of RIGHT, as by unjust weights, ells, measures, FRAUDULENT merchandise, false coins, usury, or by any other way forbidden by God; as also all covetousness, all waste and abuse of his gifts." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"There are very many kinds of theft." "One consists in violence, as when a man's goods are forcibly plundered and carried off; another in malicious imposture, as when they are fraudulently intercepted; a third in the more hidden craft which takes possession of them with a semblance of justice; and a fourth in sycophancy, which wiles them away under the pretence of donation." "If an agent or an indolent steward wastes the substance of his employer, or does not give due heed to the management of his property; if he unjustly squanders or luxuriously wastes the means entrusted to him; if a servant holds his master in derision, divulges his secrets, or in any way is treacherous to his life or his goods; if, on the other hand, a master cruelly torments his household, he is guilty of theft before God; since every one who, in the exercise of his calling, performs not what he owes to others, keeps back, or makes away with what does not belong to him." [John Calvin - Institutes]

"There is stealing from God." "They are thieves who rob God of any part of his day... after morning sacrifice, to spend the other part of the Sabbath in vanity and pleasure, is spiritual theft." "The legal-thief who shrouds himself under law—as the unjust attorney or lawyer, who prevaricates and deals falsely."

"The church-thief. He gets the golden fleece—but lets the flock starve."

"The shop-thief, who steals in selling." "He who uses false weights and measures, steals from others what is their due." "To overreach others in selling, is to steal money from them... a cunning way of stealing, and is against both law and gospel."

"The usurer, who takes by extortion... is a robber."

"The borrower, who borrows money from others, with an intention never to pay them again."

"The last sort of theft is, the receiver of stolen goods." "The receiver, if he is not the principal—yet is accessory to the theft, and the law makes him guilty."

"There is a stealing from a man's self." "A man may rob himself by MISERLINESS." "He gluts his money-chest and starves his belly! He is like the donkey that is loaded with gold—but feeds upon thistles..."

"He is a thief to himself, by idleness, when he misspends his TIME." "A man may be a thief to himself by SURETYSHIP... by paying another's debt, he is a thief to himself... It is no wisdom for a man so to help another—so as to undo himself."

III. What Is Enjoined: The Duties of Justice, Contentment, and Callings

"The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others." "We must use none but lawful means for the procuring or preserving of our own or others' wealth and outward estate." "We may and ought to endeavour the procurement and preservation of our own wealth and outward estate-- 1. By making choice of a lawful and fit calling for us; and therein to abide with God." [Thomas Vincent - The Shorter Catechism]

"COMMUTATIVE JUSTICE is a virtue in the acquisition of goods, which does not desire the possessions of another, and contributes to an arithmetical equality in contracts and in the ordinary traffic amongst men in the purchase and exchange of goods according to just laws." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"We ought to endeavour the procurement and preservation of the wealth and outward estate of others, in general, by a public spirit, in seeking the good of the commonwealth above our own, and seeking others' private wealth and advantage, as well as our own."

"The rule of justice to be observed, in reference unto the wealth and outward estate of others, is, to do unto others as it is fit, and as we would that others should do unto us." [Thomas Vincent - The Shorter Catechism]

"CONTENTMENT is a virtue, by which we are satisfied and contented with our present possessions, which we have honestly acquired, and by which we quietly endure poverty and other inconveniences, not desireng what does not belong to us, nor what is unnecessary."

"FIDELITY is a virtue which has a concern and anxiety in regard to the losses and privations of another, and endeavors to avert them, willingly and diligently performing all the different duties which are devolving upon us in our appropriate callings in order that we may have what is necessary to sustain us and ours, and that we may also have that with which we may supply the wants of others, all of which is done with the design that we may glorify God thereby." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"This commandment, therefore, we shall duly obey, if, contented with our own lot, we study to acquire nothing but honest and lawful gain; if we long not to grow rich by injustice, nor to plunder our neighbour of his goods, that our own may thereby be increased..." "And not only so, but let us contribute to the relief of those whom we see under the pressure of difficulties, assisting their want out of our abundance." [John Calvin - Institutes]

IV. The Causes and Judgments of Theft

"The internal causes are: (1) Unbelief. A man has a high distrust of God's providence... (2) Covetousness. The Greek word for covetousness signifies 'an immoderate desire of getting;' which is the root of theft." "The devil is the great master-thief... he persuades men to take up his trade..." "You ought not to undertake any action upon which you cannot pray for a blessing; but you cannot pray for a blessing upon stolen goods." [Thomas Watson - The Ten Commandments (Modernized)]

"The bread of violence . We cannot call that "our bread" which is taken away from others; that which is gotten by stealth or fraud, or any manner of extortion, is not "our bread," it belongs to another." "He who is a bird of prey, who takes away the bread of the widow and fatherless, eats the bread which is not his, nor can he pray for a blessing upon it." "Can he pray God to bless that which he has gotten unjustly?" [Thomas Watson - The Lord's Prayer]

"Take heed of getting the world—with the loss of heaven." "The thief is a terror to himself, he is always in fear." "while they rob others of money, they rob themselves of salvation." [Thomas Watson - The Ten Commandments (Modernized)]

"riches got by theft and wrong are accompanied with God's curse; and if not here, be sure God's vengeance will overtake such persons as are guilty of theft and unrighteousness, in the other world." [Thomas Vincent - The Shorter Catechism]

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Heidelberg Catechism

Question 92

Q. What is God's law?

A. God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. I. You shall have no other gods before me. II. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. III. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. IV. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work— you, your son or your daughter, your male or female servant, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and consecrated it. V. Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving to you. VI. You shall not murder. VII. You shall not commit adultery. VIII. You shall not steal. IX. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. X. You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or male or female servant, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Scripture proofs

Ex. 20:1–17; Deut. 5:6–21.
Ex. 20:1–17 1 And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I [am] YHWH your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 You shall have no other gods before My face. 4 You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness that [is] in the heavens above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the waters under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them and you shall not serve them; for I, YHWH your God, [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of fathers on sons on the third and on the fourth for those who hate Me, 6 and showing loving devotion to thousands for those who love Me and for those who keep My commandments. 7 You shall not take the name of YHWH your God in vain, for YHWH will not hold guiltless him who takes His name in vain. 8 Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it. 9 Six days you shall labor and you shall do all your work, 10 and the seventh day [is] a Sabbath to YHWH your God; you shall not do any work—you, and your son, and your daughter, your manservant, and your maidservant, and your livestock, and your sojourner who [is] within your gates. 11 For [in] six days YHWH made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that [is] in them; and He rested on the seventh day. Therefore YHWH blessed the Sabbath day and sanctified it. 12 Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long upon the land that YHWH your God is giving to you. 13 You shall not murder. 14 You shall not commit adultery. 15 You shall not steal. 16 You shall not answer against your neighbor [as] a false witness. 17 You shall not covet the house of your neighbor; you shall not covet the wife of your neighbor, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Deut. 5:6–21 6 “I [am] YHWH your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 7 You shall have no other gods before Me. 8 You shall not make for yourself a carved image, any likeness that [is] in the heavens above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water beneath the earth. 9 You shall not bow down to them and you shall not serve them, for I, YHWH your God, [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons and on the third and fourth of those hating Me, 10 and showing loving devotion to thousands, to those loving Me and keeping My commandments. 11 You shall not lift up the name of YHWH your God in vain, for YHWH will not hold guiltless him who lifts up His name in vain. 12 Observe the day of the Sabbath, to keep it holy, as YHWH your God has commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 and the seventh day [is] the Sabbath to YHWH your God; you shall not do any work—you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and your ox, and your donkey, and any of your cattle, and your sojourner who [is] within your gates—that your manservant and your maidservant may rest like you. 15 And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and YHWH your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm. Upon thus YHWH your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. 16 Honor your father and your mother, as YHWH your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, that it may be well with you in the land that YHWH your God is giving to you. 17 You shall not murder. 18 And you shall not commit adultery. 19 And you shall not steal. 20 And you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 21 And you shall not covet the wife of your neighbor, and you shall not covet the house of your neighbor, his field, and his manservant, and his maidservant, his ox, and his donkey, and anything that [is] unto your neighbor.”

Parallel passages (6+)

Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 12: Of the Law of God33 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God15 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 578 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1158 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day7 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 496 shared proof texts · shared topic

Heidelberg Catechism

Question 110

Q. What does God forbid in the eighth commandment?

A. He forbids not only outright theft and robbery, which governing authorities punish, but in God's sight theft also includes all evil tricks and schemes designed 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 merchandising; counterfeit money; excessive interest; or any other means forbidden by God. In addition God forbids all greed and pointless squandering of his gifts.

Scripture proofs

Ex. 22:1; 1 Cor. 5:9–10; 6:9–10.
Ex. 22:1 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep and he slaughters it or sells it, five of the herd he shall repay for the ox, and four sheep for the sheep.
1 Cor. 5:9–10 9 I wrote to you⁺ in the letter not to associate with sexually immoral [people], 10 not altogether with the sexually immoral of this world, or with the coveters and swindlers, or idolaters—since then you⁺ would need to go out from the world.
6:9–10 9 Or do you⁺ not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be led astray: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor coveters, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
Mic. 6:9–11; Luke 3:14; James 5:1–6.
Mic. 6:9–11 9 The voice of YHWH calls to the city, and wisdom fears Your name: “Heed the rod, and the One who has appointed it! 10 Are there Yet, O house of the wicked, the treasures of wickedness, and the ephah of leanness, which is accursed? 11 Shall I count pure one with scales of wickedness, and with a bag of weights of deceit?
Luke 3:14 And those being soldiers were also questioning him, saying, “And what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Extort no one, nor accuse falsely, and be content with your⁺ wages.”
James 5:1–6 1 Come now, [you] rich, weep, wailing over the miseries that [are] coming upon you⁺. 2 Your⁺ riches have rotted and your⁺ garments have become moth-eaten. 3 Your⁺ gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be for a testimony against you⁺ and will eat your⁺ flesh like fire. You⁺ treasured up in the last days. 4 Behold, the wage of the workers having mowed your⁺ fields—that having been kept back by you⁺—cries out, and the cries of those having reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Hosts. 5 You⁺ lived in luxury and you⁺ lived in self-indulgence upon the earth. You⁺ fattened your⁺ hearts in the day of slaughter. 6 You⁺ condemned [and] murdered the righteous one; he does not resist you⁺.
Deut. 25:13–16; Ps. 15:5; Prov. 11:1; 12:22; Ezek. 45:9–12; Luke 6:35.
Deut. 25:13–16 13 You shall not have in your bag a stone and a stone, a large and a small. 14 You shall not have in your house an ephah and an ephah, a large and a small. 15 And you shall have a complete and just stone, [and] you shall have a complete and just ephah, so that your days may be prolonged in the land that YHWH your God is giving to you. 16 For an abomination to YHWH your God [is] anyone doing these [things]—anyone doing iniquity.
Ps. 15:5 His silver he has not given in usury, and he does not take a bribe against the innocent. The one doing these [things] is not shaken forever.
Prov. 11:1 Scales of deceit [are] an abomination to YHWH, and a whole stone [is] His delight.
12:22 An abomination to YHWH [are] lips of falsehood, and those acting [in] truth [are] His delight.
Ezek. 45:9–12 9 Thus says the Lord YHWH: ‘Enough to you⁺, O princes of Israel, turn aside violence and destruction and do justice and righteousness. Stop your⁺ evictions upon My people, a declaration of the Lord YHWH.’ 10 Righteous scales and a righteous ephah and a righteous bath shall be unto you⁺. 11 The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure, the bath to bear a tenth of a homer, and the ephah a tenth of a homer. Their measure will be according to the homer. 12 And the shekel [shall be] twenty gerahs; twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, ten and five shekels, will be unto you⁺ the mina.
Luke 6:35 But love your⁺ enemies, and do good, and lend expecting nothing back. And your⁺ reward will be great, and you⁺ will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and evil.
Luke 12:15; Eph. 5:5.
Luke 12:15 And He said to them, “Beware, and keep yourselves from all covetousness, because not to anyone is his life in the abundance of that which he possesses.”
Eph. 5:5 For this you⁺ know, realizing that every sexually immoral person, or impure person, or covetous person (who is an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Prov. 21:20; 23:20–21; Luke 16:10–13.
Prov. 21:20 Treasure to be desired and oil [are] in the dwelling of a wise one, and a foolish man swallows it up.
23:20–21 20 Not Be among those getting drunk [on] wine, among those being gluttons of flesh to themelves. 21 For the drunkard and the glutton will be dispossessed, and drowsiness will clothe [them] in rags.
Luke 16:10–13 10 The one faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and the one unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much. 11 If, therefore, you⁺ were not faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you⁺ the true? 12 And if you⁺ were not faithful in that which [is] of another, who will give to you⁺ that which [is] your own? 13 No servant is able to serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and he will love the other, or he will hold to the one and he will despise the other. You⁺ are not able to serve God and mammon.”

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1429 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 30: Of Church Censures2 shared proof texts Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1452 shared proof texts Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1411 shared proof text · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 23: Of the Civil Magistrate1 shared proof text Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 781 shared proof text

Heidelberg Catechism

Question 111

Q. What does God require of you in this commandment?

A. That I do whatever I can and may 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 help the needy in their hardship.

Scripture proofs

Isa. 58:5–10; Matt. 7:12; Gal. 6:9–10; Eph. 4:28.
Isa. 58:5–10 5 Is it like this, the fast I choose? A day for a man to afflict his soul, for bowing down his head like a reed, and spreading out sackcloth and ashes—do you call this a fast, and a day of pleasure for YHWH? 6 Is not this the fast I choose: To open the bonds of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, and to send forth the crushed ones free, and tear off every yoke? 7 Is [it] not to distribute your bread to the hungry, and the wandering the poor you should bring into the house; when you see one naked then clothe him, and do not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will sprout quickly, and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of YHWH will gather behind you. 9 Then you will call, and YHWH will answer; you will cry out, and He will say, ‘Here I [am]! If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and the speaking of wickedness, 10 and [if] you extend to the hungry your soul, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your darkness [will be] like the noonday.
Matt. 7:12 All things, therefore, as many as you⁺ may want that men may do to you⁺, so also you⁺ do to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Gal. 6:9–10 9 And we should not grow fainthearted [in] doing good, for in due time we will reap, not giving up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, we should work good toward all, and especially toward those of the household of the faith.
Eph. 4:28 The one stealing, let him steal no longer, but rather let him toil, working with [his] own hands what [is] good, so that he may have [something] to impart to the one having need.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1412 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 26: Of the Communion of Saints2 shared proof texts London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 27: Of the Communion of Saints2 shared proof texts Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 741 shared proof text · shared topic Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 751 shared proof text · shared topic Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1421 shared proof text · shared topic

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 73

Q. Which is the eighth commandment?

A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.

Scripture proofs

Ex. 20:15; Deut. 5:19.
Ex. 20:15 You shall not steal.
Deut. 5:19 And you shall not steal.

Parallel passages (5)

Heidelberg Catechism · Question 922 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1402 shared proof texts · shared topic Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 12: Of the Law of God2 shared proof texts Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God1 shared proof text Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 26: Of the Communion of Saints1 shared proof text

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 74

Q. What is required in the eighth commandment?

A. The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.

Scripture proofs

Lev. 25:35; Eph. 4:28b; Phil. 2:4.
Lev. 25:35 And if one of your brothers among you becomes poor and his hand has failed, then you shall help him like a sojourner or a stranger, and he may live with you.
Eph. 4:28 The one stealing, let him steal no longer, but rather let him toil, working with [his] own hands what [is] good, so that he may have [something] to impart to the one having need.
Phil. 2:4 each looking at not the things of yourselves, but each also the things of others.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1413 shared proof texts · shared topic Heidelberg Catechism · Question 1111 shared proof text · shared topic Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1421 shared proof text · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 22: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows1 shared proof text Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 26: Of the Communion of Saints1 shared proof text Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 991 shared proof text

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 75

Q. What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?

A. The eighth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth, or may, unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbor's, wealth or outward estate.

Scripture proofs

Prov. 28:19ff.; Eph. 4:28a; 2 Thess. 3:10; 1 Tim. 5:8.
Prov. 28:19 The one working his land will be filled [with] bread, and the one pursuing empty [things] will be filled with poverty.
Eph. 4:28 The one stealing, let him steal no longer, but rather let him toil, working with [his] own hands what [is] good, so that he may have [something] to impart to the one having need.
2 Thess. 3:10 For even when we were with you⁺, we were commanding you⁺ this, that “if anyone is not willing to work, neither let him eat.”
1 Tim. 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for [his] own, and especially [his] household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1424 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1412 shared proof texts · shared topic Heidelberg Catechism · Question 1111 shared proof text · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 22: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows1 shared proof text Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 26: Of the Communion of Saints1 shared proof text Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 991 shared proof text

Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 140

Q. Which is the eighth commandment?

A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.

Scripture proofs

Ex. 20:15. (Cf. Deut. 5:19.)
Ex. 20:15 You shall not steal.
Deut. 5:19 And you shall not steal.

Parallel passages (5)

Heidelberg Catechism · Question 922 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 732 shared proof texts · shared topic Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 12: Of the Law of God2 shared proof texts Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God1 shared proof text Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 26: Of the Communion of Saints1 shared proof text

Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 141

Q. What are the duties required in the eighth commandment?

A. The duties required in the eighth commandment are, truth, faithfulness, and justice in contracts and commerce between man and man; rendering to everyone his due; restitution of goods unlawfully detained from the right owners thereof; giving and lending freely, according to our abilities, and the necessities of others; moderation of our judgments, wills, and affections concerning worldly goods; a provident care and study to get, keep, use, and dispose these things which are necessary and convenient for the sustentation of our nature, and suitable to our condition; a lawful calling, and diligence in it; frugality; avoiding unnecessary lawsuits, and suretyship, or other like engagements; and an endeavor, by all just and lawful means, to procure, preserve, and further the wealth and outward estate of others, as well as our own.

Scripture proofs

Ps. 15:2, 4; Mic. 6:8; Zech. 8:16–17. (See Zech. 7:4, 10.)
Ps. 15:2, 4 2 The one walking blamelessly, and doing righteousness, and speaking truth in his heart. 4 A rejected one is despised in his eyes, and those fearful of YHWH he honors—one [who] swears to endure evil, and not changing.
Mic. 6:8 He has shown to you, O man, what [is] good. And what does YHWH seek from you, but to do justice and to love kindness, and to be humble to walk with your God?
Zech. 8:16–17 16 These [are] the things that you⁺ will do: Speak the truth, every man with his neighbor; [in] truth and judgment of peace render judgment in your⁺ gates; 17 and each man, you⁺ shall not devise evil against a neighbor in your⁺ heart, and an oath of deception you⁺ shall not love, for all these [are] that which I hate,” a declaration of YHWH.
Zech. 7:4, 10 4 And the word of YHWH of Hosts came to me, saying, 10 and the widow and fatherless, the sojourner and the poor, you⁺ shall not oppress; and you⁺ shall not devise in your⁺ heart the evil of a man [against] his brother!’
Rom. 13:7.
Rom. 13:7 Pay to all their dues: tax to whom tax, revenue to whom revenue, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Lev. 6:2–5. (See Luke 19:8.)
Lev. 6:2–5 2 “If a soul sins and acts unfaithfully—an unfaithfulness—against YHWH and has lied to his neighbor concerning a deposit, or concerning a pledge of hand, or concerning a robbery, or if he has extorted his neighbor, 3 or if he has found a lost thing and has lied concerning it, and has sworn upon falsehood—upon one from all that the man does, to sin in them. 4 And it shall be, when he sins and is guilty, that he shall return the plunder that he has stolen, or the extortion that he has extorted, or the deposit that has been deposited with him, or the lost thing that he found, 5 or from all about which he swore to a lie. And He shall restore it in its principal and he shall add a fifth to it; to whomever it belongs, he shall give it in the day of his guilt offering.
Luke 19:8 But having stood, Zacchaeus said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I give to the poor; and if I defrauded anything of anyone, I repay [it] fourfold.”
Luke 6:30, 38; 1 John 3:17; Eph. 4:28; Gal. 6:10.
Luke 6:30, 38 30 To everyone asking you, give, and from the one taking away what [is] yours⁺, do not demand [it] back. 38 Give, and it will be given to you⁺. A good measure, pressed down, shaken, running over, they will give into your⁺ bosom. For with what measure you⁺ measure, it will be measured back to you⁺.”
1 John 3:17 Now whoever may have the goods of the world, and may see his brother having need, and might shut his heart from him, how does the love of God remain in him?
Eph. 4:28 The one stealing, let him steal no longer, but rather let him toil, working with [his] own hands what [is] good, so that he may have [something] to impart to the one having need.
Gal. 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, we should work good toward all, and especially toward those of the household of the faith.
1 Tim. 6:6–9. (See Gal. 6:14.)
1 Tim. 6:6–9 6 But godliness with contentment is a means of great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, because neither are we able to bring out anything. 8 But having sustenance and coverings, with these we will be content. 9 But those wishing to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
Gal. 6:14 But for me, may it be never to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I [to] the world.
1 Tim. 5:8.
1 Tim. 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for [his] own, and especially [his] household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Prov. 27:23 (see vv. 24–27); Eccl. 2:24; Eccl. 3:12–13; 1 Tim. 6:17–18. (See Isa. 38:1; Matt. 11:8.)
Prov. 27:23 Be sure to know the faces of your flock, [and] set your heart to your herds,
Eccl. 2:24 Nothing [is] better for the man than to eat and drink, and his soul to see good in his toil. This also I saw, that it [is] from the hand of God;
Eccl. 3:12–13 12 I know that there is nothing good for them, but than to rejoice and to do good during their lives, 13 and also [that] every man should eat and drink and see good in all his toil—it [is] a gift of God.
1 Tim. 6:17–18 17 Charge the rich in the present age not to be high-minded, nor to have hoped on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, the One richly providing us all things for enjoyment; 18 to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous in distributing, ready to share,
Isa. 38:1 In those days Hezekiah was sick unto death. And came to him Isaiah son of Amoz the prophet, and he said to him, “Thus says YHWH: ‘Set in order your house, for you are going to die, and you will not live!’”
Matt. 11:8 But what did you⁺ go out to see? A man having been dressed in soft [garments]? Behold, those wearing soft [garments] are in the houses of kings.
1 Cor. 7:20. (See Gen. 2:15; 3:19.)
1 Cor. 7:20 Each in the calling in which he has been called—in this let him remain.
Gen. 2:15 And YHWH God took the man and He caused him to rest in the garden of Eden, to work it and to keep it.
3:19 By the sweat of your nose you shall eat bread, until your returning to the ground, for from it you were taken. For dust you [are], and to dust you shall return.”
Eph. 4:28; Prov. 10:4; Rom. 12:11.
Eph. 4:28 The one stealing, let him steal no longer, but rather let him toil, working with [his] own hands what [is] good, so that he may have [something] to impart to the one having need.
Prov. 10:4 The one making slack [his] hand becomes poor, and the hand of the diligent ones makes rich.
Rom. 12:11 not slothful in diligence, being fervent in spirit, serving the Lord,
John 6:12; Prov. 21:20.
John 6:12 Now when they were filled, He says to His disciples, “Gather together the fragments having superabounded, so that nothing may be lost.”
Prov. 21:20 Treasure to be desired and oil [are] in the dwelling of a wise one, and a foolish man swallows it up.
1 Cor. 6:1 (see vv. 2–9).
1 Cor. 6:1 Dare any one of you⁺, having a matter against the other, go to be judged before the unrighteous and not before the saints?
Prov. 11:15. (See Prov. 6:1–6.)
Prov. 11:15 One will surely suffer evil if he pledges for [for] a stranger, and one who hates striking hands remains secure.
Prov. 6:1–6 1 My son, if you have been surety for your neighbor, [or] have struck your hand for the stranger, 2 [or] have been lured by the words of your mouth, captured by the words of your mouth, 3 then you must do this my son, and deliver yourself, for you have come into the palm of your neighbor: Go humble yourself, and press your neighbor. 4 You should not give sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids— 5 snatch yourself like a gazelle from the hand, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler. 6 Go to the ant, O sluggish one; see her ways and become wise:
Lev. 25:35; Phil. 2:4. (See Deut. 22:1–4; Ex. 23:4–5; Gen. 47:14, 20; Matt. 22:39.)
Lev. 25:35 And if one of your brothers among you becomes poor and his hand has failed, then you shall help him like a sojourner or a stranger, and he may live with you.
Phil. 2:4 each looking at not the things of yourselves, but each also the things of others.
Deut. 22:1–4 1 You shall not see the ox of your brother or his sheep going astray, and hide yourself from them; you shall surely turn them back to your brother. 2 And if your brother [is] not near to you, or if you do not know him, you shall bring it to the middle of your own house, and it shall remain with you until your brother seeks it—and you shall restore it to him. 3 And so shall you do with his donkey, and so shall you do with his garment, and so shall you do with any lost thing of your brother that is lost by him and you have found it. You must not hide yourself. 4 You shall not see the donkey of your brother or his ox fall down along the road, and hide yourself from them; you shall surely raise [them] up with him.
Ex. 23:4–5 4 If you encounter the ox of your enemy or his donkey going astray, you shall surely return it to him. 5 If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, then do not leave it; you must surely help him with it.
Gen. 47:14, 20 14 And Joseph gathered up all the silver found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, for the grain that they were buying, and Joseph brought the silver to the house of Pharaoh. 20 And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for every man of Egypt sold his field because the famine was severe upon them. And the land became unto Pharaoh.
Matt. 22:39 And the second [is] like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

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Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 142

Q. What are the sins forbidden in the eighth commandment?

A. The sins forbidden in the eighth commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required, are, theft, robbery, manstealing, and receiving anything that is stolen; fraudulent dealing, false weights and measures, removing landmarks, injustice and unfaithfulness in contracts between man and man, or in matters of trust; oppression, extortion, usury, bribery, vexatious lawsuits, unjust enclosures and depredation; engrossing commodities to enhance the price; unlawful callings, and all other unjust or sinful ways of taking or withholding from our neighbor what belongs to him, or of enriching ourselves; covetousness; inordinate prizing and affecting worldly goods; distrustful and distracting cares and studies in getting, keeping, and using them; envying at the prosperity of others; as likewise idleness, prodigality, wasteful gaming; and all other ways whereby we do unduly prejudice our own outward estate, and defrauding ourselves of the due use and comfort of that estate which God hath given us.

Scripture proofs

James 2:15–16; 1 John 3:17.
James 2:15–16 15 Now if a brother or a sister is naked and lacking of daily food, 16 and anyone of you⁺ says to them, “Go in peace; be warmed and be filled,” but does not give to them the needful things for the body, what [is] the gain?
1 John 3:17 Now whoever may have the goods of the world, and may see his brother having need, and might shut his heart from him, how does the love of God remain in him?
Eph. 4:28.
Eph. 4:28 The one stealing, let him steal no longer, but rather let him toil, working with [his] own hands what [is] good, so that he may have [something] to impart to the one having need.
Ps. 62:10.
Ps. 62:10 You should⁺ not trust in oppression, and do not be vain in robbery; [on] wealth when it increases you⁺ should not set the heart.
1 Tim. 1:10.
1 Tim. 1:10 for the sexually immoral, homosexuals, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and if anything other is opposed to being sound in the teaching,
Prov. 29:24; Ps. 50:18.
Prov. 29:24 One having a portion with a thief is hating his own soul; he hears the curse, and does not testify.
Ps. 50:18 If you see a thief, then you are pleased with him, and your portion [is] with those committing adultery.
1 Thess. 4:6; Lev. 19:13.
1 Thess. 4:6 not to go beyond and to take advantage of his brother in the matter, because the Lord [is] avenging concerning all these things, just as also we said before to you⁺ and earnestly testified.
Lev. 19:13 You shall not oppress your neighbor, and you shall not rob. The wage of a hireling shall not remain with you until morning.
Prov. 11:1; Prov. 20:10.
Prov. 11:1 Scales of deceit [are] an abomination to YHWH, and a whole stone [is] His delight.
Prov. 20:10 A stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah—the two of them alike [are] an abomination to YHWH.
Deut. 19:14. (See Prov. 23:10.)
Deut. 19:14 You shall not move a border of your neighbor, which the men of old have set in your inheritance that you will inherit in the land that YHWH your God is giving you to possess.
Prov. 23:10 Do not remove a boundary of old, and do not enter into the fields of the fatherless.
Amos 8:5; Ps. 37:21.
Amos 8:5 saying, “When will the New Moon pass, so that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath, that we may trade wheat, making small the ephah and making large the shekel, and cheating [with] scales of deceit,
Ps. 37:21 The wicked borrows and does not repay, and the righteous one is gracious and giving.
Luke 16:10–12.
Luke 16:10–12 10 The one faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and the one unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much. 11 If, therefore, you⁺ were not faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you⁺ the true? 12 And if you⁺ were not faithful in that which [is] of another, who will give to you⁺ that which [is] your own?
Ezek. 22:29; Lev. 25:17.
Ezek. 22:29 The people of the land [with] oppression have oppressed, and [with] robbery have robbed, and the poor and the needy they have mistreated; and the sojourner they oppress without justice.
Lev. 25:17 And you⁺ shall not oppress one another, and you shall fear your God. For I [am] YHWH your⁺ God.
Matt. 23:25; Ezek. 22:12.
Matt. 23:25 Woe to you⁺, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you⁺ cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of plundering and self-indulgence.
Ezek. 22:12 They take Bribes among you in order to pour out blood; usury and increase you take, and you cut off your neighbors by extortion, and Me you have forgotten, a declaration of the Lord YHWH.
Ps. 15:5.
Ps. 15:5 His silver he has not given in usury, and he does not take a bribe against the innocent. The one doing these [things] is not shaken forever.
Job 15:34.
Job 15:34 For the company of the godless [is] barren, and fire will consume the tents of bribery.
1 Cor. 6:6–8; Prov. 3:29–30.
1 Cor. 6:6–8 6 But brother goes to be judged against brother, and this before unbelievers! 7 Therefore indeed, it is already altogether a defeat for you⁺ that you⁺ have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 But you⁺ do wrong and defraud, and this to brothers!
Prov. 3:29–30 29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he is dwelling in trust with you. 30 Do not strive with a man without cause, if he has not dealt with you [for] evil.
Isa. 5:8; Mic. 2:2.
Isa. 5:8 Woe to those joining house to house; field to field they bring near, until [there is] no place to stand, and you⁺ are made to dwell by yourselves alone in the midst of the land!
Mic. 2:2 And they desire fields, and seize [them], and houses, and they take [them]; and they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance.
Prov. 11:26.
Prov. 11:26 The one withholding grain, the people will curse him, and blessing [is] on the head of the one selling.
Acts 19:19 (see vv. 24–25).
Acts 19:19 and many of those having practiced works of magic, having brought the books, burned [them] before all. And they counted up the prices of them and found [it] five myriads of silver.
James 5:4; Prov. 21:6. (See Job 20:19.)
James 5:4 Behold, the wage of the workers having mowed your⁺ fields—that having been kept back by you⁺—cries out, and the cries of those having reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Hosts.
Prov. 21:6 Working [for] treasures by a tongue of deception is a vapor driven away [of those] seeking death.
Job 20:19 For he has crushed [and] forsaken the poor; he has seized a house, and he did not build it.
Luke 12:15.
Luke 12:15 And He said to them, “Beware, and keep yourselves from all covetousness, because not to anyone is his life in the abundance of that which he possesses.”
1 Tim. 6:5; Col. 3:2; 1 John 2:15–16. (See Prov. 23:5; Ps. 62:10.)
1 Tim. 6:5 [and] constant arguing of men thoroughly corrupted in mind and deprived of the truth, supposing godliness to be a means of gain.
Col. 3:2 Mind the things above, not the things on the earth.
1 John 2:15–16 15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone should love the world, the love of the Father is not in him, 16 because all that [is] in the world, the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the vaunting of life, is not from the Father but is from the world.
Prov. 23:5 Will you make your eyes fly onto it, and it is not there? For it certainly makes for itself wings like an eagle [and] flies away [to] the heavens!
Ps. 62:10 You should⁺ not trust in oppression, and do not be vain in robbery; [on] wealth when it increases you⁺ should not set the heart.
Matt. 6:25, 31, 34; Eccl. 5:12.
Matt. 6:25, 31, 34 25 Because of this I say to you⁺, do not be anxious for your⁺ life, what you⁺ might eat or what you⁺ might drink, nor for your⁺ body, what you⁺ might put on. Is not life more than food, and the body [more] than clothing? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘[With] what shall we be clothed?’ 34 Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient to the day [is] its evil.[]
Eccl. 5:12 Sweet [is] the sleep of the one working, whether he eats little or much; but the satsifaction of the rich one will not allow rest for him to sleep.
Ps. 73:3. (See Ps. 37:1, 7.)
Ps. 73:3 For I was envious of those boasting [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Ps. 37:1, 7 1 Of David. You should not fret ove those doing evil, and do not be jealous of the workers of iniquity. 7 Be still before YHWH, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret over the one succeeding in his path, over the man making schemes.
2 Thess. 3:10–11. (See Prov. 18:9.)
2 Thess. 3:10–11 10 For even when we were with you⁺, we were commanding you⁺ this, that “if anyone is not willing to work, neither let him eat.” 11 For we hear some are walking among you⁺ in an unruly manner, not working at all, but being busybodies.
Prov. 18:9 The one being slack in his work, he [is] also a brother to a lord of destruction.
Prov. 21:17; Prov. 23:20–21. (See Prov. 28:19.)
Prov. 21:17 The one loving pleasure [is] a man of need, the one loving wine and oil will not become rich.
Prov. 23:20–21 20 Not Be among those getting drunk [on] wine, among those being gluttons of flesh to themelves. 21 For the drunkard and the glutton will be dispossessed, and drowsiness will clothe [them] in rags.
Prov. 28:19 The one working his land will be filled [with] bread, and the one pursuing empty [things] will be filled with poverty.
Eccl. 4:8; Eccl. 6:2; 1 Tim. 4:3–5; 1 Tim. 5:8.
Eccl. 4:8 There is one, and there is not a second—there is not even a son or brother for him—and there is not end to all his toils; and his eye is not satisfied with wealth: “For whom [am] I toiling and depriving my soul of good?” This also [is] vapor, and it [is] a task of evil.
Eccl. 6:2 A man [for] whom God has given to him riches and wealth and honor, and he has no lack for his soul from all that; he desires and God does not give him power to eat from it; instead a foreign man eats it. This [is] vapor, and it [is] a sickening evil.
1 Tim. 4:3–5 3 forbidding to marry, [requiring] to abstain from foods that God created for reception with thanksgiving by the faithful and [by] [those] knowing the truth. 4 For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing [is] to be rejected, being received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and intercession.
1 Tim. 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for [his] own, and especially [his] household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

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