Q. 110. What doth God forbid in the eighth command?

Question. What doth God forbid in the eighth command?

Answer. God forbids not only those thefts and robberies which are punishable by the magistrate, but he comprehends under the name of theft, all wicked tricks and devices, whereby we design to appropriate to ourselves the goods which belong to our neighbour; whether it be by force, or under the appearance of right, as by unjust weights, ells, measures, fraudulent merchandise, false coins, usury, or by any other way forbidden by God (Lev. 19;11, 13): as also all covetousness, all waste and abuse of his gifts (Luke 12;15).

Proofs.

• [proof-1] Lev. 19;11, 13.—Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another......thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him.— Luke 3;14.—1 Thess. 4;6.—Jer. 22;13.—Lev. 19;35, 36.—Prov. 11;1.—Deut. 25;13-15.—Amos 8;4-7.—Ex. 22;25.—Ezra 18;13.
• [proof-2] Luke 12;15.—Take heed and beware of covetousness.—1 Tim. 6;9, 10.—John 6;12.—1 Cor. 6;10.