What is required in the eighth commandment?

Which Bible passages support this answer?

The Westminster Assembly attached these Scripture proofs to answer 74. Read them together and ask what each one shows about the answer.

1. Genesis 30:30

   Indeed, you had little before I arrived, but now your possessions have increased many times over. The Lord has blessed you wherever I worked. But now, how long must it be before I do something for my own family too?” (NET)

2. 1 Timothy 5:8

   But if someone does not provide for his own, especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (NET)

3. Leviticus 25:35

   “‘If your brother becomes impoverished and is indebted to you, you must support him; he must live with you like a foreign resident. (NET)

4. Deuteronomy 22:1-5

   ¹When you see your neighbor’s ox or sheep going astray, do not ignore it; you must return it without fail to your neighbor. ²If the owner does not live near you or you do not know who the owner is, then you must corral the animal at your house and let it stay with you until the owner looks for it; then you must return it to him. ³You shall do the same to his donkey, his clothes, or anything else your neighbor has lost and you have found; you must not refuse to get involved. ⁴When you see your neighbor’s donkey or ox fallen along the road, do not ignore it; instead, you must be sure to help him get the animal on its feet again. ⁵A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor should a man dress up in women’s clothing, for anyone who does this is offensive to the Lord your God. (NET)

5. Exodus 23:4-5

   ⁴“If you encounter your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, you must by all means return it to him. ⁵If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen under its load, you must not ignore him, but be sure to help him with it. (NET)

6. Genesis 47:14, 20

   ¹⁴Joseph collected all the money that could be found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan as payment for the grain they were buying. Then Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s palace. ²⁰So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. Each of the Egyptians sold his field, for the famine was severe. So the land became Pharaoh’s. (NET)

What does this answer mean?

The eighth commandment requires the lawful procuring and furthering of the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others. In plain words: earn and keep things honestly, work diligently, and help others with their needs. It asks us to do good with property as well as to avoid stealing.

What can we ask our children?

1. How can we get things honestly?
2. How can we help other people with what they need?
3. Why is hard work part of keeping this commandment?