Sunday
June 4
1. MANY FORMS OF ROBBERY
a. What is the eighth commandment, and what does it entail? Exodus 20:15.
“The eighth commandment condemns manstealing and slave dealing, and forbids wars of conquest. It condemns theft and robbery. It demands strict integrity in the minutest details of the affairs of life. It forbids overreaching in trade, and requires the payment of just debts or wages. It declares that every attempt to advantage oneself by the ignorance, weakness, or misfortune of another is registered as fraud in the books of heaven.”-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 309.
b. Why does the thief have more to lose than the one whom he or she has robbed? Jeremiah 2:26 (first part).
“The child who plays truant from school, the youth who is slothful in his studies, the clerk or apprentice who fails of serving the interests of his employer, the man in any business or profession who is untrue to his highest responsibilities, may flatter himself that, so long as the wrong is concealed, he is gaining an advantage. But not so; he is cheating himself. The harvest of life is character, and it is this that determines destiny, both for this life and for the life to come.”-Education, pp. 108, 109.
Monday
June 5
2. A HIGHER STANDARD
a. What are some points that Sabbathkeepers should especially keep in mind with regard to the eighth commandment? Romans 2:21.
“Those who make so high a profession, and who number themselves among the peculiar people of God, saying by their profession that they are zealous of good works, should be noble and generous, and should ever manifest a disposition to favor their brethren instead of themselves, and should give their brethren the best chance. Generosity begets generosity. Selfishness begets selfishness. . . .
“By some the work of six days has been carried into the seventh. One hour, and even more, has often been taken from the commencement and close of the Sabbath.
“Some of the Sabbathkeepers who say to the world that they are looking for Jesus’ coming, and that they believe we are having the last message of mercy, give way to their natural feelings, and barter, and trade, and are a proverb among unbelievers for their keenness in trade, for being sharp, and always getting the best end of a bargain. Such would better lose a little and exert a better influence in the world, and a happier influence among brethren, and show that this world is not their god.”-Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 149, 150.
b. How may we be guilty of actually robbing God? Malachi 3:8, 9.
“There has been a fearful withholding from God and, as a result, the withdrawal of His special blessing. My brethren and sisters, I entreat you to look carefully to this matter; learn where you have robbed the Lord in tithes and offerings. Let not the record stand against you in the books of heaven. Repent, and show your repentance by your works. Make up the deficiencies without delay.”-The Review and Herald, February 9, 1886.
c. What is the command and promise regarding tithes and offerings? Malachi 3:10-12.
Tuesday
TuesdayJune 6
3. EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES
a. How may employers be guilty of theft? James 5:4; 1 Timothy 5:17, 18.
b. In what ways may employees also be guilty of theft? Song of Solomon 2:15; Ephesians 6:5-7.
“Those who shun every duty not directly specified to be theirs will bring into their spiritual life the very same disposition to do as little as possible. Just the same spirit and principles that one brings into the common day labour for his employer, will be brought into the work and cause of God. Were employees as careful to work diligently and thoroughly during all the hours of labor as they are not to exceed the specified time, there would be an entirely different showing from that which is generally made.”-The Bible Echo, August 24, 1896.
“The cross of Christ cuts to the root of all unholy passions and practices. Whatever the nature of your work, you will carry the principles of Christ into your labor and identify yourself with the task given into your hands. Your interest will be one with that of your employer. If you are paid for your time, you will realize that the time for work is not your own, but belongs to the one who pays you for it. If you are careless and extravagant, wasting material, squandering time, failing to be painstaking and diligent, you are registered in the books of heaven as an unfaithful servant.”-The Review and Herald, September 22, 1891.
c. Why should all take heed to the comments of Sister White made following a tour of a church health institution? Ephesians 4:28.
“As my guide conducted me through the different departments, the lack of economy everywhere stirred my soul with grief, for I had a full sense of the debt hanging over the institution. The petty dishonesty, the selfish neglect of duty, were marked by the recording angel. The waste permitted here and there, in the course of a year amounts to a considerable sum. Much of this might be saved by the helpers. . . . This is the fruit of selfishness and is registered against them under the heading of unfaithfulness.”-Counsels on Health, p. 420.
Wednesday
June 7
4. THE SPIRIT OF THE WHOLE LAW
a. In what sense can the eighth commandment be intertwined with the seventh? James 2:10.
“‘Thou shalt not steal’ was written by the finger of God upon the tables of stone; yet how much underhand stealing of affections is practiced and excused. A deceptive courtship is maintained, private communications are kept up until the affections of one who is inexperienced, and knows not whereunto these things may grow, are in a measure withdrawn from her parents and placed upon him who shows by the very course he pursues that he is unworthy of her love. The Bible condemns every species of dishonesty, and demands right-doing under all circumstances. . . .
“The curse of God rests upon many of the ill-timed, inappropriate connections that are formed in this age of the world. If the Bible left these questions in a vague, uncertain light, then the course that many youth of today are pursuing in their attachments for one another would be more excusable. But the requirements of the Bible are not halfway injunctions; they demand perfect purity of thought, of word, and of deed. We are grateful to God that His word is a light to the feet, and that none need mistake the path of duty.”-Fundamentals of Christian Education, pp. 102, 103.
b. What tragic history illustrates how the eighth commandment can be intertwined with other commandments? 2 Samuel 15:6.
“Absalom, [David’s] own son, whom he loved above all his children, rebelled against him. By his remarkable beauty, winning manners, and pretended kindness, he cunningly stole the hearts of the people. He did not possess benevolence at heart, but was ambitious and, as his course shows, would resort to intrigue and crime to obtain the kingdom. He would have returned his father’s love and kindness by taking his life. . . .
“This unnatural warfare, arising in his own house, and the rebel being his own son, seemed to confuse and weaken [David’s] calm judgment. And knowing that this evil had been predicted by the prophet, and that he had brought it upon himself by his transgressing the commandments of God, destroyed his skill and former unequaled courage.”-Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4a, pp. 89, 90.
Thursday
June 8
5. NO LONGER WEIGHED DOWN
a. Why should we seek to be free from the spirit of theft which leads only to bondage? Luke 12:16-24; 1 Timothy 6:10, 11.
“The length and happiness of life does not consist in the amount of our earthly possessions. This foolish rich man in his supreme selfishness had laid up for himself treasures that he could not use. He had lived only for himself. He had over-reached in trade, had made sharp bargains, and had not exercised mercy or the love of God. He had robbed the fatherless and widow, and defrauded his fellowmen, to add to his increasing stock of worldly possessions. He might have laid up his treasure in heaven in bags that wax not old; but through his covetousness he lost both worlds. Those who humbly use to the glory of God the means that He has entrusted to them will receive their treasure by and by from the Master’s hand with the benediction: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant: . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’ ”-Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 402.
b. What should be our attitude toward material things? Acts 20:35; Philippians 2:3, 4.
“In proportion as the love of Christ fills our hearts and controls our lives, covetousness, selfishness, and love of ease will be overcome, and it will be our pleasure to do the will of Christ, whose servants we claim to be. Our happiness will then be proportionate to our unselfish works, prompted by the love of Christ.”-Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 382.
Friday
June 9
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What are some of the most subtle forms of theft?
2. What types of theft are especially tempting to Sabbathkeepers?
3. How can the driving spirit which triggers all theft be overcome?