241113 BITES: Q47 What is the eighth commandment?

Q47 - What is the eighth commandment? A47 - The eighth commandment is, "you shall not steal," which forbids taking anything unjustly from another (Ephesians 4:28)

Interaction: What are some things that people steal? (PHYSICAL THINGS: MONEY, CARS ETC INTANGIBLE THINGS: TIME (SHOWING UP LATE), RESPECT (NOT HONORING PARENTS)

Has anyone here has had something stolen from them? (ALLOW THEM TO BRIEFLY ELABORATE BUT DRAW OUT HOW THEY FELT)

Now please don’t raise your hands unless you feel like you should - have you ever taken something that didn’t belong to you, regardless if it was worth much or little? RELAY PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF THEFT

Does the Bible speak of stealing? THEY MAY RECALL ACHAN AT JERICHO (Josh 7)/AHAB & NABOTH’S VINEYARD (1 King 21) ETC BUT SINCE THESE ARE ONLY TANGIBLE THEY NEED TO CONSIDER THE INTANGIBLE

What did the Israelites steal from God with the Golden Calf? Q40-41. Worship was reserved for God alone, they stole His worship

What did Cain steal from Abel? Q45. Cain stole the life of Abel

Any time we take something that doesn’t belong to us we can understand that we are breaking God’s command, it can be tangible things or also things that cannot be touched like ideas, honor, glory

Question and Answer: So here is tonight’s question: Q47 - What is the eighth commandment? A47 -The eighth commandment is, "you shall not steal," which forbids taking anything unjustly from another

Scripture example Ephesians 4:28“He who steals must steal no longer, but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.”

Restate: All people are forbidden from stealing, all people are commanded not to take what doesn’t belong to us. Rather we are supposed to work hard so that we can share with people in need

Questions for them to answer:

So why can the government take money from people, that seems like stealing doesn’t it? Romans 13:7“Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” God has said that government has the ability to place taxes on people

Can we steal from God? I mean He owns everything, right? Yes, we can steal honor, glory, even our own lives from Him when we rebel and reject Him

Can we steal from ourselves? Yes! If we misuse our bodies we are not caring for the very temple of the Lord. This means we are to steward our bodies not steal health from them

Why does this command matter?

This matters because God desires that we find our fulfillment and contentment in Him and in His supply.

This matters because we really simply need to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and He will supply our every need.

This matters because if we sin by stealing our testimony is hindered, meaning people do not believe us when we tell them that Christ is enough if we are not satisfied by Christ alone but seek satisfaction by taking from another

So how can we obey this command?

Pursue godliness and contentment 1 Tim 6.6, not the riches of the world which will all be burned up in the Day of the Lord 2 Peter

Last Question and Answer: Q47 - What is the eighth commandment? A47 - The eighth commandment is, "you shall not steal," which forbids taking anything unjustly from another Ephesians 4:28 “He who steals must steal no longer, but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.”

Ask if anyone has questions then define terminology

Definitions and Examples for Key Terms

Steal Definition: To take something that does not belong to you without permission and with the intent to keep it wrongfully.Examples: This could involve outright theft (like burglary or fraud), but it also extends to more subtle forms, like cheating on taxes, withholding wages, or taking credit for someone else’s work.Cross-References: Leviticus 19:11 “‘You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.” Proverbs 11:1 “A deceptive balance is an abomination to Yahweh, But a just weight is His delight.”

Unjust Taking Definition: An action taken without rightful permission, often violating fairness or integrity. This can mean physically taking possessions or manipulating a situation to gain unfair advantage.Examples: Examples include theft, dishonesty in business, borrowing without permission or intent to return, and abusing someone’s trust for personal gain. Cross-References: Micah 6:10–12 “Is there yet a man in the wicked house, Along with treasures of wickedness, And a short measure which is cursed? “Can I purify wicked scales And a bag of deceptive weights? “For the rich men of the city are full of violence, And her inhabitants speak lies, And their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.” - Describes unjust scales and deceit in business dealings, which God condemns.

Anything Belonging to Another Definition: Any item or property that someone else has a rightful claim to, including both tangible (material possessions) and intangible (reputation, time, intellectual property) things. Examples: Taking someone’s possessions, wasting someone’s time, or damaging someone’s reputation all fall under this category. Cross-References: Exodus 22:4 ““If what he stole is actually found alive in his hand, whether an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.” - The law given to Israel regarding restitution for theft shows God’s concern for protecting personal property. Romans 13:7–8 “Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” - Emphasizes the importance of giving to others what is rightfully theirs, including respect, honor, and money.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

SPG - 59. Q. Which is the eighth commandment?

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

60. Q. What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?

A. The eighth commandment forbids whatever does or may unjustly hinder our own (1 Tim. 5:8; Prov. 28:19; Prov. 21:6), or our neighbor’s wealth, or outward estate (Eph. 4:28).

WSC Question 73 - Which is the eighth commandment?

The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal. (Exod. 20:15)

Question 74 - 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. (Gen. 30:30, 1 Tim. 5:8, Lev. 25:35, Deut. 22:1–5, Exod. 23:4–5, Gen. 47:14,20)

Question 75 - What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?

The eighth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth or may unjustly hinder our own or our neighbour’ s wealth or outward estate. (Prov. 21:17, Prov. 23:20–21, Prov. 28:19, Eph. 4:28)

WLC - Question 140 Which is the eighth commandment?

The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal. (Exod. 20:15)

Question 141 What are the duties required in the eighth commandment?

The duties required in the eighth commandment are, truth, faithfulness, and justice in contracts and commerce between man and man; (Ps. 15:2,4, Zech. 7:4,10, Zech. 8:16–17) restitution of goods unlawfully detained from the right owners thereof; (Lev. 6:2–5, Luke 19:8) giving and lending freely, according to our abilities, and the necessities of others; (Luke 6:30,38, 1 John 3:17, Eph. 4:28, Gal. 6:10) moderation of our judgments, wills, and affections concerning worldly goods; (1 Tim. 6:6–9, Gal. 6:14) a provident care and study to get, (1 Tim. 5:8) keep, use, and dispose these things which are necessary and convenient for the sustentation of our nature, and suitable to our condition; (Prov. 27:23–27, Eccl. 2:24, Eccl. 3:12–13, 1 Tim. 6:17–18, Isa. 38:1, Matt. 11:8) a lawful calling, (1 Cor. 7:20, Gen. 2:15, Gen. 3:19) and diligence in it; (Eph. 4:28, Prov. 10:4) frugality; (John 6:12, Prov. 21:20) avoiding unnecessary law-suits, (1 Cor. 6:1–9) and suretiship, or other like engagements; (Prov. 6:1–6, Prov. 11:15) 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. (Lev. 25:35, Deut. 22:1–4, Exod. 23:4–5, Gen. 47:14,20, Phil. 2:4, Matt. 22:39)

Question 142 What are the sins forbidden in the eighth commandment?

The sins forbidden in the eighth commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required, (James 2:15–16, 1 John 3:17) are, theft, (Eph. 4:28) robbery, (Ps. 62:10) man-stealing, (1 Tim. 1:10) and receiving any thing that is stolen; (Prov. 29:24, Ps. 50:18) fraudulent dealing, (1 Thess. 4:6) false weights and measures, (Prov. 11:1, Prov. 20:10) removing landmarks, (Deut. 19:14, Prov. 23:10) injustice and unfaithfulness in contracts between man and man, (Amos 8:5, Ps. 37:21) or in matters of trust; (Luke 16:10–12) oppression, (Ezek. 22:29, Lev. 25:17) extortion, (Matt. 23:25, Ezek. 22:12) usury, (Ps. 15:5) bribery, (Job 15:34) vexatious law-suits, (1 Cor. 6:6–8, Prov. 3:29–30) unjust inclosures and depopulations; (Isa. 5:8, Micah 2:2) ingrossing commodities to enhance the price; (Prov. 11:26) unlawful callings, (Acts 19:19,24–25) and all other unjust or sinful ways of taking or withholding from our neighbour what belongs to him, or of enriching ourselves; (Job 20:19, James 5:4, Prov. 21:6) covetousness; (Luke 12:15) inordinate prizing and affecting worldly goods; (1 Tim. 6:5, Col. 3:2, Prov. 23:5, Ps. 62:10) distrustful and distracting cares and studies in getting, keeping, and using them; (Matt. 6:25,31,34, Eccl. 5:12) envying at the prosperity of others; (Ps. 73:3, Ps. 37:1,7) as likewise idleness, (2 Thess. 3:11, Prov. 18:9) prodigality, wasteful gaming; and all other ways whereby we do unduly prejudice our own outward estate, (Prov. 21:17, Prov. 23:20–21, Prov. 28:19) and defrauding ourselves of the due use and comfort of that estate which God hath given us. (Eccl. 4:8, Eccl. 6:2, 1 Tim. 5:8)