An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism · Martin Luther
II. WHAT IS COMMANDED.
We should 1. ASSIST OUR NEIGHBOR TO IMPROVE AND PROTECT HIS PROPERTY. [Exod. 23:4, 5, Matt. 7:12] We should help him to get along well in the world, and do what we can to prevent him from being deprived of his possessions. 2. _Restore to the real owner_ whatever has been dishonestly gotten. [Luke 19:8] 3. _Be Ready to use our money_ and property in order to help and benefit our neighbor. [Eph. 4:28+, Heb. 13.18+, I Pet. 4:10] We must be helpful and charitable toward our fellow-men. QUESTIONS.--1. What is the object of the seventh commandment? 2. What does this commandment forbid? 3. What does it command? 4. How may property be rightfully acquired? 5. Explain why property is unequally divided among men? 6. What is to be said about communism? 7. Why is he who is neither rich nor poor the happiest man? 8. What is the right use of property? 9. Mention some gross forms of dishonesty? 10. Mention some other ways in which this commandment is broken? 11. Where does dishonesty have its source? 12. If we would be honest, what must we guard against? 13. In what ways does this commandment require us to assist our neighbor? SCRIPTURE VERSES--Prov. 22:2. The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all. II Thess. 3:10. This we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
Prov. 30:7-9. Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. Prov. 15:16-17. Better is little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. I Tim. 6:17. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. Matt. 19:24. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. I Tim. 5:8. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Luke 12:15. And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
I Tim. 6:10. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Eph. 4:28. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Heb. 13:16. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. READING.--The Unjust Steward, Luke 16:1-7; or, Matt. 25: 31-46. ILLUSTRATIONS.--_Poverty and Riches_: The Rich Man and Lazarus, Luke 16:19-31; The Rich Fool, Luke 12:15-21; The Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11 seq. _Dishonesty_: Achan, Josh. 7. Gehazi, II Kings 5. Judas, Luke 12:6, Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5. _Benevolence_: The Good Samaritan, Luke 10:30-37; Dorcas, Acts 9:36; Cornelius, Acts 10:2.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.