READING.—The Creation of Eve, Gen. 2:18-25; or, The Marriage at Cana, John 2:1-11.
CHAPTER XI.
THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT.
PROPERTY. HONESTY.
Thou shalt not steal.
What is meant by this commandment?
We should so fear and love God as not to rob our neighbor of his money or property, nor bring it into our possession by unfair dealing or fraudulent means, but rather assist him to improve and protect it.
The object of this commandment is to protect every man in the possession of that which is lawfully his own. Without such protection the individual could not support his life, and society could not exist. The industrious and thrifty would be at the mercy of the lazy and wicked. This commandment forbids us to use dishonest means of acquiring property. It commands us to assist our neighbor to improve and protect his own.