Q75. What does the eighth commandment forbid?
The eighth commandment forbids anything that unfairly takes away from or harms what we or others have.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Proverbs 21:17
“He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.”
Proverbs 28:19
“He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.”
Ephesians 4:28
“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”
2 Thessalonians 3:10
“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does the eighth commandment forbid?
- 2
Can you think of ways someone might harm what others have, besides just taking their things?
- 3
If a friend at school loses a pencil and you find it, what should you do?
Illustration
If you break your sister’s toy on purpose because you are angry, you have harmed what belongs to her. Wasting things, being careless with borrowed items, or cheating on a game are all ways of taking unfairly from others.
Application
Because God is generous with you, ask him to help you be careful with other people’s belongings. The next time you borrow something, treat it even better than you would treat your own things.