The Westminster Shorter Catechism

Q74. What is required in the Eighth Commandment?

A. The Eighth Commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth
and outward estate of ourselves and others.[1]

Proofs

[1] Genesis 30:30; 1 Timothy 5:8; Leviticus 25:35; Deuteronomy 22:1–5;
Exodus 23:4–5; Genesis 47:14, 20.

Comments

We have already noted that the Eighth Commandment respects the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others. In simpler language, this means that the Eighth Commandment has to do with private ownership of property or things. The wording of the Commandment has to do with stealing, or dishonouring the right of ownership by others, of the things we steal. This includes things which God has providentially assigned to another and time which others have paid for, such as when we are being employed to do a certain work during a particular time.

But positively, since theft is forbidden, and we are to work for our possessions and daily bread (Eph 4:28; 2 Thes 3:10b), it follows that the Eighth Commandment requires the procuring and furthering of the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others by lawful means.

The lawful means by which we may acquire and maintain our own wealth and outward estate include: (1) a careful choice of a lawful and fit calling by which we may provide for ourselves and for those under our care (cf. Gen 2:15; 4:2; Mk 6:3; Acts 18:3; etc.); (2) diligence and industry in our particular calling that we gain the favour of our employees without compromising our faith (cf. Prov 10:4; 13:11); (3) prudence and discretion in managing our callings and outward estate to the best advantage (Ps 112:5; cf. Prov 2:11); by being frugal, not wasteful nor indulging in unnecessary luxuries (Prov 21:20; Jn 6:12); (4) moderate attempts to recover what rightly belong to us when they are wrongfully taken from us in any way; (5) seeking the Lord’s blessing upon our every endeavour to provide our daily bread and acknowledging that all that we receive comes undeservedly from the Lord (Prov 10:22; Phil 4:6).

Now, in regards to our endeavour to procure and further the wealth and outward estate of others as taught by the Apostle Paul: “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (l Cor 10:24), we ought, “in general, [to have] a public spirit, in seeking the good of the commonwealth above our own, and seeking others’ private wealth and advantage, as well as our own” (Thomas Vincent).