Pentecost Week 16 - The Eighth Commandment
Scripture Reading
*Explain the context: “This week, we will continue to read about God giving Israel his instructions at Mt. Sinai after God had freed them from Egypt.”
Exodus 20:15
Big Idea (For Parents)
We patiently trust and obey God for good things instead of wrongfully taking from others.
Family Reflection
(Read aloud or summarize)
The Eighth Commandment continues to teach us what “love” looks like as we seek to love our neighbor as ourselves.
As the opening chapters of Genesis show, God made clear to humanity at the beginning that he was giving them a level of ownership (or “dominion”) over God’s creation, but that their ownership was limited by God’s instructions (e.g., “you shall not eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”). That means that, ultimately, our ownership over everything that is ours is a stewardship from God—we have a special right to use it, but we may only use it in ways that God permits. The first sin of Adam and Eve was, among other things, a form of stealing. They did not trust and obey God for good things and instead they wrongfully took what God had not (yet) given to them. Ironically, by stealing, they did not gain the true good they sought, but rather received only things that were enduringly bad.
God expressly stated this no-stealing law to Israel in the 10 Commandments because their instructions in the covenant with Moses emphasized blessings and curses regarding property and material things, as well as victory over enemies, for their life in the Promised Land. We are tempted to steal for two primary reasons: (1) covetousness, meaning we want what another has for us to enjoy it ourselves; and/or (2) envy, meaning we hate the other and his enjoyment of the thing so we want him to not have it. The Mosaic law’s blessings and curses address both of these temptations, and tell us to be patient, trusting and obeying God as we rely on him, in his time, to both give us good and to give to any unrepentant sinners the negative consequences they deserve.
Within the structure of the 10 Commandments, the Eighth Commandment in the “love of neighbor” section corresponds to the Third Commandment in the “love of God” section. The Third Commandment forbids carrying God’s name emptily. It is a form a stealing to claim to be a Christian—thereby carrying God’s name—and yet live however we want without regard for God’s Word. To do so is to seek some benefit from God’s name, but to steal from God the obedience of faith that carrying his name requires.
Whether by covetousness or envy, we are tempted to steal today just as the Israelites were. God’s promises of blessing to us for trusting and obeying him go far beyond the promises to Israel. God assures us that if we are patient and faithful, he will not only bring prosperity and justice to one small region as a witness to the world, but he will increasingly transform and bring prosperity and justice to the whole world itself! The only question is, will we be the patient and faithful people he uses to do it?
Discussion Questions
(Choose 1-2. Adjust for age.)
1- “Mine!” is something many young children have heard from their sibling while a toy or other item is snatched away. We recognize our dominion-task of ownership very easily, but we are sometimes slow to recognize the limits God places on our ownership. How does it change our view of our things to recognize that they all ultimately belong to God? What is one way we can steward something we own this week in a way that shows God is the ultimate owner of it?
2- We may be tempted to steal because of covetousness—wanting to enjoy what someone else has. One proper response to temptations of covetousness is expressing thankfulness for the good that God has already given us. What is something you are tempted to impatiently want? What is something good God has already given you for which you can thank God now?
3- We may be tempted to steal because of envy—being angry at others and thus not wanting them to enjoy something. However, apart from God-given office (e.g., a criminal court judge), it is not our role to punish others, even if they are sinning somehow in the way they get or enjoy what they have. When tempted to envy, we could first consider whether we ourselves are rightly using all that God given to us. Then, with a clean conscience, we can pray that God brings justice regarding the other person. What is one situation in which you are tempted to envy another?
Practice—Battle Prayers
Gratitude, faithful stewardship, and prayer are some of our greatest weapons against the covetousness and envy that produce stealing. Plan now for how you will respond when tempted in those areas this week. Complete these one-sentence prayers in appropriate ways for yourselves:
-“God, thank you for _________.”
-“God, help me faithfully use ________.”
-“God, please give justice with ________.”
When temptation strikes, pray! Parents can help remind littles of the prayers when appropriate throughout the week.
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