More Frame on "Do not steal"

Here are some further jottings from Frame's chapters on the 8th commandment headed "Respecting Property" and "Wealth and Poverty" (The Doctrine of the Christian Life, P&R):

Ultimately all property belongs to God (Ex 19:5; Ps 24:1; 50:10)

God has given men the right of private property & dominion over the earth – Gen 1:28-30; Ps 8:6; 115:16 - The land of Canaan given to Israel and certain portions of the land given to each tribe - The land is given to Israel (Ex 33:1-3) but it is ultimately the LORD’s (Hos 9:3)

Scripture often affirms the property rights of human beings - 1 K 21:3-6; Acts 4:37; 5:4

“Scripture endorses the concept of private property, always with the proviso that God is the ultimate owner of creation and the one who has the ultimate authority over it. The eight commandment assumes this concept. Stealing would have no meaning, unless there were a clear distinction between what belongs to me and what belongs to someone else.” (p798)

Work ethic - Cf. 4 commandment – work 6 days, rest & worship 1

1 Thess 4:11-12; 2 Thess 3:10

“To keep the eighth commandment is both to give everyone his due and, beyond that, to sacrifice our own goods in love for others, as Jesus gave his life for us. The eighth commandment mandates both justice and mercy.” (p799)

“If theft includes robbing God of his due, then we can understand how, in a sense, all sin is theft. So the eight commandment is a broad mandate upholding God’s whole law.” (p799)

Even hunger is not an excuse for stealing even if its more understandable (Prov 6:30-31)

Malachi 3:8 - "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, `How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings.” - Failure to tithe (under Old Covenant) is robbing God

Tithe was not on wealth or income but agricultural produce - Other offerings also given to priests

Tithe to Melchizedek (Gen 14:20; Heb 7:4-10) - not just an Israel in the land thing

2 Cor 9:7-8 – giving to be voluntary, cheerful and generous - Acts 4:34-37 ; Lk 21:1-4

10% a good beginning of financial discipleship for the Christian believer

Firstfruits – Ex 23:16; Dt 26:2

Paying taxes: Mt 22:17-22; Rm 13:6-7

“… the eight commandment mandates responsible use of the funds God has entrusted to us…. we have responsibilities to our families (1 Tim 5:8), to the church (2 Cor 8-9), to the state (Mt 22:17-22), and to ourselves (2 Thess 3:10). These responsiblities, in turn, require a seriousness about the use of money.” (p806)

“… Scripture does not condemn the expenditure of money for relaxation, for entertainment, or even for the consumption of luxuries. But these must be balanced by a conern for others and for one’s future well-being.” (p806)

“On the whole, Scripture has a favourable attitude toward wealth. Wealth is a covenant blessing, the prosperity promised to those who obey God (Dt 8:18; 29:9; Josh 1:7-8; 1 Kings 2:2-3; 2 Chron 26:5; 31:21; Ps 1:3; 112:1-3; Mk 10:29-30).” (p808)

Abraham, Job & David wealthy. Lk 8:3; 1 Cor 1:26.

“… it is not sinful as such to be wealthy. Nor is it sinful to desire to enjoy God’s material blessings. God commanded Israel to feat before him (Dt 12:6-7, 17-19; 14:22-23; cf. Job 1:1-5). Jesus attended a wedding feast and supplied additional wine (John 2:1-11). He also ate with wealthy people (Lk 7:36-50; 11:37; 14:1, 12). He praised Mary’s extravagant homage to him, despite Judas’ insincere argument that her gift should have been sold for the poor instead (John 12:4-8). Indeed, as Paul says, in the context of a warning to the wealthy, God “richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Tim 6:17).” (p809)

“It is wrong to say that justice requires an equal distribution of resources as such. It does not. But when the rich oppress the poor, to defend the poor against them is simple justice.” (p815)

"The family was then [in biblical provision], and today remains, the first and most solid defense against poverty. In Israel, it was understood that parents would provide for their children, that children would provide for parents in their old age, and that parents would leave an inheritance for their children…. In Israel, this pattern was not compromised by income or estate taxes. In modern society, the breakdown of the family through illegitimacy and divorce is one of the major causes of poverty. Nothing can do more to alleviate the problem than the restoration if a biblical family structure.” (p816)

Hebrew slavery “was in fact a kind of household apprenticeship, where offenders, for a period not exceeding six years, learned habits of discipline and ways of making a living…. a family virtually adopted the servant for a time…” (p818)

Hospitality – Rm 12:13; 1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet 4:9

This commandment rules out Marxism / Communism that is opposed to private property. It is idolatry to make the State the ultimate controller and owner of all things. (p826)