Westminster Larger Catechism (Q 140-142)

Dear Church Family,

This past Sunday, we did not have Sunday school; however, two weeks ago we continued our Sunday school lessons in the Westminster Larger Catechism (WLC) in questions 140-142 (dealing with the eighth commandment). Here is a brief review.

WLC 140  Which is the eighth commandment?
A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.

There are three questions in the WLC devoted to the eighth commandment (WLC 140-142).

WLC 141  What are the duties required in the eighth commandment?
A. The duties required in the eighth commandment are, truth, faithfulness, and justice in contracts and commerce between man and man, rendering to every one his due; restitution of goods unlawfully detained from the right owners thereof; giving and lending freely, according to our abilities, and the necessities of others; moderation of our judgments, wills and affections concerning worldly goods; a provident care and study to get, keep, use, and dispose these things which are necessary and convenient for the sustentation of our nature, and suitable to our condition; a lawful calling, and diligence in it; frugality, avoiding unnecessary law-suits, and suretiship, or other like engagements; and an endeavour, by all just and lawful means, to procure, preserve, and further the wealth and outward estate of others, as well as our own.

The duties required in the eighth commandment may be summarized under nine headings:

(1) Commerce: truth, faithfulness, and justice in contracts and commerce (Zechariah 8:16-17)

(2) Repayment: restitution of unlawfully detained goods (Luke 19:8)

(3) Generosity: giving and lending freely as we are able (Luke 6:30-38)

(4) Moderation & Sustenance: moderate and effectual use of worldly goods (1 Timothy 6:6-9)

(5) Vocation: diligence in a lawful calling (Ephesians 4:28)

(6) Frugality: economic thriftiness (Proverbs 21:20)

(7) Avoiding unnecessary lawsuits (1 Corinthians 6:1-8)

(8) Suretiship: agreeing to answer for the debt of another (Proverbs 11:15)

(9) Outward Estate: endeavoring to procure, preserve, & further the wealth of others & ourselves (Exo 23:4-5)

WLC 142  What are the sins forbidden in the eighth commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the eighth commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required, are, theft, robbery, manstealing, and receiving any thing that is stolen; fraudulent dealing, false weights and measures, removing land-marks, injustice and unfaithfulness in contracts between man and man, or in matters of trust; oppression, extortion, usury, bribery, vexatious lawsuits, unjust inclosures and depredation; ingrossing commodities to enhance the price; unlawful callings, and all other unjust or sinful ways of taking or withholding from our neighbour what belongs to him, or of enriching ourselves; covetousness; inordinate prizing and affecting worldly goods; distrustful and distracting cares and studies in getting, keeping, and using them; envying at the prosperity of others; as likewise idleness, prodigality, wasteful gaming; and all other ways whereby we do unduly prejudice our own outward estate, and defrauding ourselves of the due use and comfort of that estate which God hath given us.

The sins forbidden in the eighth commandment may be summarized under nine headings:

(1) Neglect of the required duties of the eighth commandment (see previous question, WLC 141)

(2) Theft: Stealing or receiving stolen goods (1 Timothy 1:8-11)

(3) Fraud: fraudulent dealings in commerce, land-rights, contracts, and matters of trust (Proverbs 11:1; 20:10)

(4) Oppression: extortion, usury, bribery, vexatious lawsuits, unjust inclosures, depredation (Ezekiel 22:29)

(5) Monopolies: ingrossing commodities to enhance the price (Isaiah 5:8)

(6) Vocations: unlawful callings (Acts 19:19, 23-28)

(7) Covetousness and Envying: inordinate affection for worldly goods (Psalm 62:10)

(8) Wastefulness: idleness, prodigality, wasteful gaming (Proverbs 21:17; 28:19)

(9) Defrauding ourselves: misusing God’s provision (1 Timothy 5:8)

Conclusion

As we read and study the required duties and forbidden sins of the ten commandments, we all are certainly convicted of the innumerable ways in which we do not conform to God’s law and the innumerable ways in which we transgress God’s law every day in thought, word, and deed. And, as we are convicted of our sin, we are also reminded of the two special uses of God’s law for the regenerate which we learned in WLC 97.

First, we grow in our assurance of salvation through faith in the Person and work of Christ. The law of God shows us how much we are bound to Christ for His fulfilling the law and enduring the curse of the law in our stead, and for our good. Second, we learn better how to love the Lord and to love our neighbor. The law of God provokes us to thankful obedience, to endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ.

Join us on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am as we learn how we may offer up our thankful obedience to our Savior in all that we think, say, and do.

The Lord be with you!
Pastor Peter M. Dietsch