Q.140. Which is the eighth commandment?

A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.[i]

[i] Exod. 20:15.

Q.141. 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;[k] rendering to every one his due;[l] restitution of goods unlawfully detained from the right owners thereof;[m] giving and lending freely, according to our abilities, and the necessities of others;[n] moderation of our judgments, wills, and affections concerning worldly goods;[o] a provident care and study to get,[p] keep, use, and dispose these things which are necessary and convenient for the sustentation of our nature, and suitable to our condition;[q] a lawful calling,[r] and diligence in it;[s] frugality,[t] avoiding unnecessary law-suits,[v] and suretiship, or other like engagements;[w] and an endeavour, by all just and lawful means, to procure, preserve, and further the wealth and outward estate of others, as well as our own.[x]

[k] Ps. 15:2,4. Zech. 7:4,10. Zech. 8:16,17.

[l] Rom. 13:7.

[m] Lev. 6:2-5. Compared with Luke 19:8.

[n] Luke 6:30,38. 1 John 3:17. Eph. 4:28. Gal. 6:10.

[o] 1 Tim. 6:6-9. Gal. 6:14.

[p] 1 Tim. 5:8.

[q] Prov. 27:23-27. Eccl. 2:24. Eccl. 3:12,13. 1 Tim. 6:17,18. Isa. 38:1. Matt. 11:8.

[r] 1 Cor. 7:20. Gen. 2:15. Gen. 3:19.

[s] Eph. 4:28. Prov. 10:4.

[t] John 6:12. Prov. 21:20.

[v] 1 Cor. 6:1-9.

[w] Prov. 6:1-6. Prov. 11:15.

[x] Lev. 25:35. Deut. 22:1-4. Exod. 23:4,5. Gen. 47:14,20. Phil. 2:4. Matt. 22:39.

Q.142. What are the sins forbidden in the eighth commandment?

A. The sins forbidden in the eighth commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required,[y] are, theft,[z] robbery,[a] man-stealing,[b] and receiving any thing that is stolen;[c] fraudulent dealing,[d] false weights and measures,[e] removing land-marks,[f] injustice and unfaithfulness in contracts between man and man,[g] or in matters of trust;[h] oppression,[i] extortion,[k] usury,[l] bribery,[m] vexatious law-suits,[n] unjust inclosures and depopulations;[o] ingrossing commodities to enhance the price;[p] unlawful callings,[q] and all other unjust or sinful ways of taking or withholding from our neighbour what belongs to him, or of enriching ourselves;[r] covetousness;[s] inordinate prizing and affecting worldly goods;[t] distrustful and distracting cares and studies in getting, keeping, and using them;[v] envying at the prosperity of others;[w] as likewise idleness,[x] prodigality, wasteful gaming; and all other ways whereby we do unduly prejudice our own outward estate,[y] and defrauding ourselves of the due use and comfort of that estate which God hath given us.[z]

[y] James 2:15,16. 1 John 3:17.

[z] Eph. 4:28.

[a] Ps. 62:10.

[b] 1 Tim. 1:10.

[c] Prov. 29:24. Ps. 50:18.

[d] 1 Thess. 4:6.

[e] Prov. 20:10.

[f] Deut. 19:14. Prov. 23:10.

[g] Amos 8:5. Ps. 37:21.

[h] Luke 16:10-12.

[i] Ezek. 22:29. Lev. 25:17.

[k] Matt. 23:25. Ezek. 22:12.

[l] Ps. 15:5.

[m] Job 15:34.

[n] 1 Cor. 6:6-8. Prov. 3:29,30.

[o] Isa. 5:8. Micah 2:2.

[p] Prov. 11:26.

[q] Acts 19:19,24,25.

[r] Job 20:19. James 5:4. Prov. 21:6.

[s] Luke 12:15.

[t] 1 Tim. 6:5. Col. 3:2. Prov. 23:5. Ps. 62:10.

[v] Matt. 6:25,31,34. Eccl. 5:12.

[w] Ps. 73:3. Ps. 37:1,7.

[x] 2 Thess. 3:11. Prov. 18:9.

[y] Prov. 21:17. Prov. 23:20,21. Prov. 28:19.

[z] Eccl. 4:8. Eccl. 6:2. 1 Tim. 5:8.