Heidelberg Catechism – Lord’s Day 42
Q & A 110
Q. What does God forbid in the eighth commandment? [You shall not steal.]
A. He forbids not only outright theft and robbery, punishable by law.*1 But in God’s sight theft also includes cheating and swindling our neighbor by schemes made to appear legitimate,*2 such as: inaccurate measurements of weight, size, or volume; fraudulent merchandising; counterfeit money; excessive interest; or any other means forbidden by God.*3 In addition he forbids all greed*4 and pointless squandering of his gifts.*5
*1 Ex. 22:1; 1 Cor. 5:9-10; 6:9-10
*2 Mic. 6:9-11; Luke 3:14; James 5:1-6
*3 Deut. 25:13-16; Ps. 15:5; Prov. 11:1; 12:22; Ezek. 45:9-12; Luke 6:35
*4 Luke 12:15; Eph. 5:5
*5 Prov. 21:20; 23:20-21; Luke 16:10-13
Q & A 111
Q. What does God require of you in this commandment?
A. That I do whatever I can 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 share with those in need.*6
*6 Isa. 58:5-10; Matt. 7:12; Gal. 6:9-10; Eph. 4:28
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