Question 79: Which is the eighth commandment?

Answer: The eighth commandment is, "You shall not steal."*

Question 80: Which is required in the eighth commandment?

Answer: The eighth commandment requires that we pursue lawful and useful work to provide for our needs and for those unable to provide for themselves.

Scripture: Exodus 20:15; Ephesians 4:28; Proverbs 27:23; Leviticus 25:35; Deuteronomy 15:10; 22:1-4.

DAY 1: Deuteronomy 22:1-4

This week we turn our attention to the eighth commandment, “You shall not steal”. However, we will approach this commandment by dealing with what the positive assertion of the negative commandment is. We will see how we are to deal with our brother concerning possessions. Not only does it speak to brothers in Christ, but it goes beyond that to those that we don’t even know.

Let’s begin in Deuteronomy 22:1-4. As we look at this passage, let us remember that we will probably not find a direct parallel with our own day. By this I mean that it will not be a common thing for us to find our neighbors oxen wandering the streets. However, I will try to give some illustrations where the principle does apply for us. In this particular passage in verse one we see that there is a situation. This situation is that an ox or a sheep has gone astray. The term astray may lead us to believe that this animal somehow is just off the beaten course. Rather, it has been pushed away from the flock. The word astray here is nadach (naw-dakh’). It means, “to be impelled; to be thrust out, be banished; banished, outcast; to be driven away; to be thrust away, thrust aside”. The idea being communicated is not that this animal is just some distance from the rest of the herd or flock. Rather the idea is that it has been driven from the herd by a dog or wolf of some kind. When this happens, the person who saw this was not to “hide himself from them”. The phrase here means to act as if he didn’t see it so that he would not be responsible for it. Rather, he was to ensure that it got back to its rightful owner.

But, what if he didn’t know the owner? Or worse yet, what if the owner lived far, far away (vs. 2)? Then one was to take the animal into his own care. The phrase here “his own house” does not mean literally to take him in his dwelling house. Rather he is to keep the animal in a barn or something of the sort and care for him. The man who found him was to feed him and take care of him. Also, the Jews considered it ok for the man to use the animal if he was feeding him.

This animal was to remain with the finder until the rightful owner came looking for it. This also implies that the finder was making it known what he had found in the community. When the owner came and claimed the animal, then it was to be returned to him. Verse three goes on to say that it applied not only to animals that might stray, but also to personal items such as clothing. We are also told that one was not to keep it secret and try to keep the item indefinitely, but rather to care for it and make known the find so the owner could retrieve his goods. However, in Jewish culture, as in today’s culture, when someone came and claimed that what had been found was theirs, there was a certain qualification that went along with it. They had to describe certain markings or characteristics of the item found. This was to ensure that it was rightful owner.

Finally we are also told that if a brother’s donkey or his ox falls in a ditch that help was to be administered. This help may have even involved unloading the burden of the animal, getting him out of the ditch and reloading the burden. In this case also, notice, that one was not to act as if he didn’t see the problem. Again, I think we could gain a clear mandate from God about loving our neighbor as ourselves and practically we can see where we can help people simply by seeing the need. I would point practically to the illustration of roadside assistance today. Many times that help is not needed with the convenience of cell phones and Highway Assistance programs, but as Christians, we should be willing to help our fellow man.

Discussion: Have there been things that you have found that belonged to someone else? What was your first instinct to do with those items? Was it a sinful attitude of your heart? Did you try to hide the item in order that you might keep the item? Did you try to make it known to people around you that the item had been found? What about helping the neighbor who may be having difficulty, have you done so? Have you given your assistance to someone and it cost you more than just a few minutes to help them get on their way? Let us pray and ask God to give us hearts that are trained in seeking the interest of others when we find their property, rather than desiring to keep those things for ourselves and thus violate the eighth commandment.

DAY 2: Ephesians 4:28

In Ephesians 4:28 the apostle gives us very clear New Testament instruction regarding the positive implications of the eighth commandment. This instruction comes right on the heels of “Neither give place to the devil.”

Paul is concerned that believers act like believers and so the instruction comes that the one who stole should steal no longer. The phrase “one who stole” is a present, active participle and the word used here is klepto (klep’-to), from which we derive the word kleptomaniac, which is the term used to define someone that is a thief. The word simply means, “to steal; to commit a theft; take away by theft i.e take away by stealth”. The New American Standard version reads this way, “He who steals”. The desire to steal resides within our flesh. Somehow there seems to be a thrill associated with taking something that doesn’t belong to you. Small children may find this funny and even some who are children in adults bodies may find it funny. But God calls it sin. I recall a friend I had a long time ago who stole simply to see if he could get away with it. He didn’t need what he stole, just wanted to see if he could take something by stealth. This should not be the character of the believer. Mr. Davis pointed out in Proverbs 6 that the thief who steals to provide food for himself or family when he I hungry is not despised, but one who steals simply to gain and for the mere pleasure of stealing is.

Paul goes on to call to repentance the thief. First he says, “Steal no more”. That seems simple enough. To stop stealing is good and is the beginning of repentance, but it is not complete repentance. Paul says that one should engage himself in labor. The term here is kopiao (kop-ee-ah’-o). It means, “to grow weary, tired, exhausted (with toil or burdens or grief); to labour with wearisome effort, to toil; of bodily labour.” One should give himself to the tasks of honorable work that glorifies God and is a means where God provides for that man. Paul told the Thessalonians, “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good (2 Thess. 3:10-13).” Paul then goes on to say that if a person doesn’t obey this command that believers should have nothing to do with them. Notice that I said that if one stopped stealing that was not complete repentance. Paul told the Thessalonians that some were busybodies (periergazomai per-ee-er-gad’-zom-ahee). The term means, “to bustle about uselessly, to busy one’s self about trifling, needless, useless matters; used apparently of a person officiously inquisitive about other’s affairs.”

Instead of dealing with their own affairs, they were involved in the affairs of others and therefore not working. Paul instructed Timothy, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5:8). If one is able to work, then one should work and provide for himself and his family.

Back in Ephesians Paul says also that this labor should be “good” and that this work involves his hands. A Christian should have employment or his business should not reflect something that would dishonor his Lord and bring shame to himself. Rather his work is to be good (agathos ag-ath-os’). The term here means, “useful, salutary; good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy; excellent, distinguished; upright, honourable.” His work is an extension of his testimony, nor separate from it. Some people think they can do what is referred to today as compartmentalize their “work” life from their “home” life and from their “church” life. However, notice that all these things have one thing in common, life. One’s life and character are defined no matter where one goes by what he is. My mindset does not change when I leave home for church or when I leave home for work. I am who I am. Therefore, my work, because I am a believer, must be good. I must work as unto the Lord (Eph 6:5-8).

He also gives reason beyond the sustaining of one’s self and family. Paul says that we work that we might have something to give him who has need. We see clearly that the provisions God grants us are for our benefit, but often because of our own sinful instincts we do not see how they can be of service to those in need. James says that we shouldn’t just have a heart of compassion, but that we should meet the need of a brother, if we have means (James 2:15-16). Jesus said that our help is desperately needed by many. In Luke 14:13-14, He said, “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” Paul set an example before the Ephesian elders when he met with them and said, “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:33-35).”

Discussion: Are you stealing? Do you sense the coveting nature in your heart and desire to steal? Do you work as unto the Lord? Are you a good employee? Do you seek to honor God in your work? Is your testimony in the workplace a living epistle of the gospel that is known and read by all men? Do you seek to give to those who have need? Are you one who desires to consume all you take in upon yourself? Pray that God would help us to obey this command from the heart and cause our sons to walk in godliness in their business ventures. Also, that our wives and daughters would not be busybodies, but work from the home with their hands doing that which is good and thus bearing a Christ exalting testimony in what they do as well.

DAY 3: Proverbs 27:23

Let me begin by asking a few questions. How are we to see our work in relationship to the providence of God? Could God not just provide for us by us asking? Is that the way God works? Are we dependent upon the providence of God for our sustenance?

Let’s begin in verse 23. Notice that there is the admonishment to know the state of your flocks. The term “state” here is the Hebrew word paniym (paw-neem’). It literally means, “face or presence”. The idea here is that the owner of the flock should be aware of their number and whereabouts at all times. He should be a good steward of his livelihood. After all the writer will tell us that these animals will be his support. He is also to attend to his herd. The phrase “pay attention” speaks to keeping up with their health. He is to make sure they are cared for and well fed. A wise man will be one that pays special attention to the investments that he has made.

Solomon then goes on to say, “That riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations.” What is being communicated is that one does not know what the future will bring. It is the old phrase, “Here today, Gone tomorrow.” However, just because one does not know what the future holds, he should not despair, nor should he become like the heathen who say, “Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die”. No, a wise man will seek to make provisions for the future by taking care of things today. However, he should realize that though he does his part, he is dependent upon the Sovereign God of the universe to prosper it (Psalm 65:9-13).

Verse 25 speaks of the care of ones crops and the harvesting of those items which lead into verse 26. This farmer not only has flocks of sheep and goats, but has a garden. He is able to provide his family with what they need by virtue of the properties God has given him. Verse 26 tells us that the lambs will be used to provide clothing. Their wool will be cut and woven into fabric that will be used to make all kinds of cloth in order that it may provide clothing for the family. Also he says, “The goats the price of a field.” The idea is that some of the goats of is flock will be sold and will enable him to purchase land so that he can obtain more flocks. This man’s vision for industry is not small, but is progressive. He takes something small and through patience and hard work is able to turn it into something that will be used to meet the needs of his family. He is content with what he has, but has the vision to enlarge it.

Verse 27 also tells us that there will be plenty of goats’ milk for himself, his household and for his servants. The English translation from the Septuagint renders this last verse like this: “My son, thou hast from me words very useful for thy life, and for the life of thy servants.” The conclusion that is being drawn is not that men should be lazy, nor should they be idle. They should be good stewards of the things with which they have been entrusted and use them that it may go well with them, their families and those who are dependent upon them.

The picture we see then is an industrious man who seeks the betterment of himself and his family through diligent honorable work. What happens if this man fails to do the things spoken of here? He and his family will likely starve and be cold. They will be those who may succumb to despair because of the lack of resources, both financial and physical sustenance. Oh, that God would teach us to have this kind of spirit and stewardship and that God would bless the efforts we put forth to His eternal glory.

Discussion: Let me start by saying that I am not promoting the health and wealth gospel. However, there are some good principles which, I know we as men, would like to adopt for ourselves and input into the lives of our children. Ask your sons if they are interested in some small investment whereby they can begin to apply these things now so that they will learn them early and be able to carry those things into a new family in the future. Are your daughters following in the footsteps of the Proverbs 31 woman who is very industrious herself? Are our wives living out this kind of example before them? Are we living out this kind of example before our boys? May God bless our efforts and may He make us wise in these regards.