HenryWSC 75

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 75

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May we do what we will with our own estates? No: for we are but stewards of the manifold grace of God,
1 Pet. 4:10
. Is it a sin then to waste our estates in prodigality? Yes: for the drunkard and glutton shall come to poverty,
Prov. 23:31
. Is luxury the way to beggary? Yes: he that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man,
Prov. 21:17
. Is slothfulness a robbing of ourselves? Yes: for he that is slothful in his work, is brother to him that is a great waster,
Prov. 18:9
. And is that the way to poverty? Yes: for drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags,
Prov. 23:21
.
Is keeping idle company the way to poverty? Yes: for he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough,
Prov. 28:19
. Is fraud and injustice the way to poverty? Yes: for wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished,
Prov. 13:11
. Can any expect to prosper in a way of unjust gain? No: for he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool,
Jer. 17:11
. Do men rob themselves and their families by foolishness in their affairs? Yes: for every wise woman buildeth her house, but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands,
Prov. 14:1
. And by rash suretyship? Yes: for he that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it,
Prov. 11:15
.
Is it a sin to rob ourselves of the comfort of that which God has given us? Yes: if a man hath not power to eat of it, it is vanity, and an evil disease,
Eccles. 6:2
. And is it a sin to deny it to our relations? Yes: if any provide not for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel,
1 Tim. 5:8
.
Is it a great sin to steal from anybody? Yes: for everyone that stealeth shall be cut off,
Zech. 5:3
. Is it a great sin for children to steal from their parents? Yes: whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith it is no transgression, the same is the companion of a destroyer,
Prov. 28:24
. And for the rich to oppress the poor? Yes: Rob not the poor, because he is poor,
Prov. 22:22
. Will you therefore keep your hands from picking and stealing? Yes: because of the fear of God,
Neh. 5:15
. Must those who have used themselves to it break it off? Yes: Let him that stole steal no more,
Eph. 4:28
. Must poor people especially watch and pray against this temptation? Yes: Lest I be poor, and steal,
Prov. 30:9
.
Is it a sin to cheat anybody in a bargain? Yes: Let no man go beyond or defraud his brother in any matter,
1 Thess. 4:6
. Is it a sin to use false weights and measures? Yes: A false balance is abomination to the Lord,
Prov. 11:1
. Is it a sin to give assistance or countenance to any fraud? Yes: Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul,
Prov. 29:24
.
Is it a sin to deny relief to the poor? Yes: Whoso hath this world’s goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up the bowels of his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in that man?
1 John 3:17
. Is it a sin to deny the payment of a just debt? Yes: for the wicked borroweth, and payeth not again,
Ps. 37:21
. Or withhold wages that is due? Yes: the hire of the labourers kept back by fraud crieth,
James 5:4
. And is the love of money the cause of all these sins? Yes: the love of money is the root of all evil,
1 Tim. 6:10
.
HenryWSC 75