Loving the Poor The Eighth Commandment We cannot truly help those we neither know nor love. Leviticus 25:35-38 “If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or ...
Justice for the Poor The Eighth Commandment The Law protects the poor in matters of law. Exodus 23:6-8 “You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in his lawsuit. Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked. And you ...
Widows and Other Needy The Eighth Commandment Neighbor love looks out for the needy. Deuteronomy 24:17, 18 “‘You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless, or take a widow’s garment in pledge, but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the LORD your God ...
Concerning Sojourners The Eighth Commandment God’s Law requires us to love the strangers in our midst. Deuteronomy 24:17, 18 “‘You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless, or take a widow’s garment in pledge, but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the LORD ...
Loans to the Poor The Eighth Commandment Loans are an appropriate way to help the poor. Deuteronomy 15:7, 8 “‘If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your ...
Generosity to the Poor The Eighth Commandment We must love the poor from the heart. Deuteronomy 15:11 “‘For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, “You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.”’” Psalm 41:1; Galatians 2:10 Jesus ...
Man-Stealing The Eighth Commandment Kidnapping is an abomination. Exodus 21:16 “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.” Deuteronomy 24:7 “‘If a man is found stealing one of his brothers, of the people of Israel, and if he treats him as a slave or ...
Neighbors and Enemies The Eighth Commandment Even our enemy’s property is his from the Lord. Exodus 23:4, 5 “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain ...
Property for the Common Good The Eighth Commandment The Law requires generosity and respect where property is concerned. Deuteronomy 23:24, 25 “‘If you go into your neighbor’s vineyard, you may eat your fill of grapes, as many as you wish, but you shall not put any in your bag. If you go into your ...
Restoration for Damages The Eighth Commandment Damaged property must be made right. Leviticus 24:21a “Whoever kills an animal shall make it good….” Leviticus 24:18 “Whoever takes an animal’s life shall make it good, life for life.” These statutes seem to address a situation in which one person is responsible for the death of another’s animal, whether intentionally ...