The Presbyterian & Reformed Journal: In publication for over 200 years, since 1813.
Wages and Pledges The Eighth Commandment Justice requires fair consideration in pledges and wages. Exodus 22:26, 27 “If ever you take your neighbor’s cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, for that is…
On Charging Interest The Eighth Commandment God strictly qualified the use of interest in lending. Deuteronomy 23:19, 20 “‘You shall not charge interest on loans to your brother, interest on money, interest on food, interest on anything that is lent…
Restitution The Eighth Commandment God requires faithfulness in even the small matters. Exodus 22:7, 8 “If a man gives to his neighbor money or goods to keep safe, and it is stolen from the man’s house, then, if the thief…
Opportunity Costs The Eighth Commandment God’s Law requires restitution. Exodus 21:18, 19 “When men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist and the man does not die but takes to his bed, then if…
Widows and Brothers The Eighth Commandment These laws made perfect sense in ancient Israel. Deuteronomy 25:5-10 “‘If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside…
Inheritances The Eighth Commandment Inheritances must be passed on intact. Numbers 27:8-11 “And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter. And…
Stewards for the Sake of Others The Eighth Commandment We must care for our property with others in mind. Exodus 21:33, 34 “When a man opens a pit, or when a man digs a pit and does not cover it,…
Our Neighbors’ Stewardship The Eighth Commandment We are stewards of our neighbors’ lost property. Deuteronomy 22:1-4 “‘You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray and ignore them. You shall take them back to your brother. And…
Guard against Negligence The Eighth Commandment Negligence can be a form of stealing. Exodus 22:6 “If fire breaks out and catches in thorns so that the stacked grain or the standing grain or the field is consumed, he who started…
A Call to Stewardship The Eighth Commandment God calls each of us to a stewardship of property. Exodus 20:15 “You shall not steal.” Deuteronomy 5:19 “‘And you shall not steal.’” All things have been created to serve God’s purposes in…