AntiChrist RZ 12/02 - Tomorrow's World

The Eighth Commandment
absolutely broke financially. I received ten cents. I was tempted
not to tithe the one cent. I did. Then a few days later I received
one dollar. Again, I was tempted to keep the tithe because of many
needs. I just received 40 dollars and am getting the tithe off to you
as soon as possible. I have been faithful and so has God.”
The Command Applied Positively
The definite positive application of the eighth commandment
is stated in the New Testament letter to the Ephesians. “Let him
who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with
his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him
who has need” (Ephesians 4:28). On the one hand, this passage
condemns stealing. On the other, working and giving are outlined
as the way of life the positive application of God’s command dictates.
Property and possessions are to be gained by honest work—
not merely to satisfy personal desires and needs—but so that any
excess may be freely given to the brother in need. In the real
intent or spirit of God’s law, a man not only steals by taking from
another that which is his, but by refusal to work in order to share
and give to others in need! The true Christian should be “distributing
to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality” (Romans
12:13).
As God’s begotten children, we are to become like Him
(Matthew 5:48). And Jesus said: “My Father has been working
until now, and I have been working” (John 5:17). The positive lesson
of the eighth commandment is also summarized in these allinclusive
words of Jesus, the Christ: “It is more blessed to give
than to receive” (Acts 20:35). If, through God’s Spirit, we can truly
learn to live by those words, we will have indeed fulfilled the spirit
of the eighth commandment!
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