Right Use of Property

Exodus 20:15; Proverbs 30:7-9; Matthew 5:25-33

GOLDEN TEXT: “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”—Matthew 6:20,21

THE first text of our lesson is the Eighth Commandment: “Thou shalt not steal.” While it has only indirect reference to the topic, it suggests a very important thought; namely, that property acquired dishonestly or through compromise of godly principles would not constitute an acceptable offering to the Lord. Long ago the Lord made this clear in the message he sent to Saul by the Prophet Samuel. King Saul had disregarded the instructions to destroy the Amalekites and their property, and in response to Samuel’s inquiry declared that the cattle of the enemy had been spared to offer in sacrifice to God.

To this the prophet replied in those words which have become famous and familiar to every Bible student: “Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. … Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”—I Samuel 15:22,23

Our second text, from the Book of Proverbs, requests of the Lord suitable provisions for the writer’s needs—“neither poverty nor riches,” but “feed me with food convenient for me.” (margin, “of my allowance.”) The writer expresses fear of the effects of either riches or poverty, saying, “Lest I be full, and deny thee … or lest I be poor and steal.”

This expression reveals a becoming lack of self-confidence. It also reminds us of the somewhat similar request in the prayer Jesus taught his disciples, “Give us this day our daily bread”; and his repeated warnings against covetousness; and against confidence in material wealth, either as a possessor or a seeker after it.—Luke 11:3; 12:15-21; Matt. 13:22

For the Christian, however, there is but one course to pursue with respect to property if he would have the divine approval. In a very small way it was illustrated by the ready response of Peter and Andrew when the Lord sought the use of their fishing boat from which to deliver his message to the assembled multitude. There the Master made use of their property for spiritual service, and Peter and Andrew enjoyed the honor and privilege of co-operating in his ministry with their material possessions.

The Lord’s people today, and throughout the Gospel age, no doubt, have had corresponding opportunities. At one time an opportunity to use their property in the service of the Lord and his cause; and again, to abandon the pursuit of business and monetary gain, even though previously used in the Lord’s service, and devote themselves fully to the service of the Lord, the truth, and the brethren.

The devotion of all we possess either of time or wealth to the Lord and his cause, would represent the true meaning of the title to our lesson, “Christian Use of Property,” as Jesus declared it. Probably he found but few who fully recognized his divine wisdom and authority when his teachings entered into that realm of such vital interest and deep concern as one’s possessions; few who could say as Peter did, “We have forsaken all, and followed thee.”

The reaction of the young man to Jesus’ advice presents the contrast; the course of the vast majority who, having learned the requirements of discipleship as explained by the Master, find the “gate” too “strait,” and so never enter the “narrow way”—the only way to “life” which is open during the Gospel age.—Matt. 19:16-22; 7:13,14

Jesus remarked with what difficulty a rich man would enter the kingdom of heaven; that it would be easier for a camel to pass through the proverbial needle’s eye. The disciples were greatly impressed with this statement, and asked “Who then can be saved?” Evidently they were conscious of the fact that the acquisitive instinct is exceedingly strong in fallen man—the desire to gain, to own, to possess. Riches may consist not only of money and tangible property, but also of reputation, relationships, honor of men.

Jesus in his further remarks indicated this broader conception of wealth, saying, “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”—Matt. 19:29

Happy are we if the possession of riches has lost its charm for us. If we have intelligently presented our all to the Lord in consecration, we shall be prepared to use faithfully our possessions of every description in the Lord’s service as his stewards—as we sincerely believe he would have us use them.

QUESTIONS:

What relationship has the Eighth Commandment to our study?

To what extent does the quotation from Proverbs, chapter 30, correspond to the teaching of Jesus?

How did Jesus outline to the rich young man the right use of property?

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