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.a
- aGenesis 30:30; 1 Timothy 5:8; Leviticus 25:35; Deuteronomy 22:1-5; Exodus 23:4-5; Genesis 47:14, 20
Beddome's Scriptural Exposition 17 questions answered from Scripture
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Is it lawful for us to seek our own temporal advantage? Yes.
“And now when shall I provide for my own house” Genesis 30:30
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Should we do this by an application to some lawful calling? Yes.
“Study to be quiet and to do your own business” 1 Thessalonians 4:11
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And by diligence in that calling? Yes.
“Not slothful in business” Romans 12:11
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And by frugality? Yes.
“He that gathereth in the summer is a wise” Proverbs 10:5
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And by a discreet conduct? Yes.
“For by understanding is a house established” Proverbs 24:3
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And to all this should we join fervent prayer? Yes.
“I will for this be inquired of by the house of Israel” Ezekiel 36:37
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Must we be just to all that we deal with? Yes.
“Render to all their due” Romans 13:7
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Must we not over-reach the ignorant? No.
“Let no man defraud or go beyond his brother” 1 Thessalonians 4:6
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Nor oppress the indigent? No.
“We must not buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes” Amos 8:6
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But should we rather relieve them? Yes.
“If thy brother be waxen poor and fallen into decay, thou shalt relieve him” Leviticus 25:35
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And be forward so to do? Yes.
“We must be ready to distribute, willing to communicate” 1 Timothy 6:18
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Must we faithfully fulfil our promises? Yes.
“I took an oath of them that they should do according to this promise” Nehemiah 5:12
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And be true to our trusts? Yes.
“It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful” 1 Corinthians 4:2
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And return what we have borrowed? Yes.
“For the wicked borroweth and payeth not again” Psalm 37:21
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And discharge our just debts? Yes.
“Owe no man any thing” Romans 13:8
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And make restitution where wrong has been done? Yes.
“He shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten” Leviticus 6:4
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And is such honesty the best policy? Yes.
“For a little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked” Psalm 37:16
Benjamin Beddome (1717–1795), pastor at Bourton-on-the-Water. Verses from the King James Version.
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