THE SCHOOL & FAMILY CATECHIST
by Rev. William Smith (1834)

The Westminster Shorter Catechism, Questions 75.

Q. 75. What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?

A. The eighth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth, or may unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbor’s wealth, or outward estate.

EXPLICATION.

Whatsoever doth, or may unjustly hinder, &c. ­­–All unlawful or sinful means of hindering our own, or our neighbor’s wealth; such as, idleness, prodigality, wasting money on trifles, or to support pride; stealing, robbery, oppression, using false weights and measures, refusing to pay just debts, neglecting to give what is proper, out of our substance, to the poor, and the like.

ANALYSIS.

The sins forbidden in the eighth commandment, are two-fold:

1. Whatsoever unjustly hinders our own wealth –1 Tim. v. 8. If any man provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Prov. xxi. 17.  He that loveth pleasure, shall be a poor man.
2. Whatsoever unjustly hinders our neighbor’s wealth. –Eph. iv. 28. Let him that stole, steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.