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Stump, Joseph

"An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism"


3. _Dishonesty in the Heart_. Dishonesty has its source in the
covetousness and greed of the human heart. [Mic. 2:2] Men first covet,
and then steal or defraud. We must beware of covetousness. [Luke 12:15+]
The love of money is a root of all evil. [I Tim. 6:10+] We must be
honest even in small matters. He who is dishonest in little will be
dishonest in much. [Luke 16:10] We must avoid all that would tempt us to
dishonesty; namely, evil companions, idleness, speculation,
extravagance, etc.
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.


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