Thou shalt not steal. Exodus 20:15
“Frugality and moderation in our expenses about ourselves ought to be used, lest the fountain should be drawn dry, whence such streams should flow, for helping and refreshing others. Bounty and mercy ought to be exercised in communicating our goods unto others, especially persons that are to be pitied; and of these, chiefly such are of the household of faith. For in this duty is the most of all exercised and most manifestly that virtue that is most contrary to theft; because as in theft we take unjustly to ourselves, what is not our own so in liberality and alms, we justly take from ourselves what is our own, and freely bestow it on another.”
William Ames (1576-1633) in the conclusion to the reading for the forty second Lord’s day on Exodus 20:15, “Thou Shalt Not Steal” in The Substance of Christian Religion (London: Thomas Davie, 1659) 255.
If you don’t mind reading old English, today’s reading comes from a brilliant four-page exposition of the seventh commandment, which is today’s Scripture passage. This excerpt from Ames illuminates our role with regard to that which we possess. As we own nothing, we must exercise frugality and moderation in spending that which God gives us on ourselves lest we be found unfaithful. God wants us to enjoy and share material blessings. Not to share with others, especially fellow believers, is stealing (cf. Ephesians 4:28). That may sound harsh, but even if we worked to earn it, God gave us that ability (cf. Deuteronomy 8:18), and thus, all we possess must be used according to God’s purposes.
God desires that those who have more than enough freely bestow their surplus to others with bounty and mercy. Sadly, however, most people are afraid to “communicate,” or in modern English, to “share,” because they fear they themselves will end up empty. Others talk themselves out of sharing saying to themselves that it will create dependencies, whereas God’s pattern is to create interdependent people who show love through sharing while depending on Him, rather than themselves, for their ongoing sustenance. The only way to take hold of life is to fear God rather than fearing being in need. Ames graciously reminds readers that those who fear God will be sustained by His providence.
Most people think the aim of meditations like this one is to help people prepare now, while they have capacity and ability, to give an account for their stewardship to God later. Undoubtedly, that’s part of it, but I would say a lesser part. The aim of meditations like this is to urge people to obey by spending simply on themselves and sharing with others rather than stealing from them because when we freely bestow with mercy and bounty in this way, we exhibit the the charity of God, we realize that sometimes we get to care for others and sometimes they get to assist us, and most importantly, we take hold of life because we no longer rely on ourselves but on God, which glorifies Him and shows the world He can be trusted.