Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good… I. ROBBERS OF THEIR NEIGHBOUR'S PROPERTY. 1. Almost impossible to enumerate all subdivisions of this class of men. (1) Those who commit theft directly. (a) All those who cheat in measures, weight, quality, or value of goods. (b) Those who violate the right of their neighbour, such as the advocates of unjust lawsuits and unjust judges. (c) Those who inconsiderately contract debt, and dishonest bankrupts. (d) Usurers, etc. (2) Indirectly. (a) Superiors and officers who do not prevent the infliction of damages if they can prevent it. (b) All hired men who take their pay without performing the amount of work contracted for. (c) All who try to extort from mechanics, hired men, etc., some deduction from the stipulated wages. (d) All dishonest finders. (e) All idlers, squanderers, and feigned beggars. 2. Their responsibility. We read in the life of St. Medardus that, when his cow was stolen the bell attached to her neck continued ringing, although the thief hid it in a box, and then buried it in the ground, until the cow was restored to her owner. Like this bell, goods unjustly acquired cry incessantly, "Pay what thou owest!" (1) The duty of restitution is in the highest degree obligatory. (2) Indispensable. II. ROBBERS OF THEIR NEIGHBOUR'S GOOD NAME. 1. Different kinds of these. (1) Detractors. (2) Calumniators. (3) Listeners. 2. The guilt. This is manifest, for a man's good name is one of his most precious possessions (Proverbs 22:1). 3. The obligation of restitution it incurs is — (1) Urgent. (2) Exceedingly difficult.In regard to the object; for, who can check the notoriety of vices once divulged, who repair the damage sustained? In regard to the hearers, who, according to human nature, are inclined to believe the evil rather than the good. In regard to yourself, since you must everlastingly confess yourself to be a liar and calumniator. III.. 1. Such are ROBBERS OF GOD'S GLORY principally the robbers of souls. (1) Those who give scandal by bad example, by words of double meaning, lascivious songs, shameful pictures, books, etc. (2) Seducers who, like Satan, make it their business to ruin souls by commandment, counsel, etc. (3) Negligent superiors and parents, who, like Eli, neglect their duty, and thus bring on the ruin of souls confided to their care. 2. How great is the responsibility! Eye for eye, etc. What will justice require of him who has been the means of casting into hell an immortal soul purchased at an infinite price? Soul for soul! (Venedien.) Parallel Verses KJV: Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. |
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