Our Neighbor’s Keeper--Two principles are suggested by this statute.

The eighth commandment

Deuteronomy 23.24, 25

“‘If you go into your neighbor’s vineyard, you may eat your fill of grapes, as many as you wish, but you shall not put any in your bag. If you go into your neighbor’s standing grain, you may pluck the ears with your hand, but you shall not put a sickle to your neighbor’s standing grain.’”

Two principles are suggested by this statute. First, Israel was to remember that the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it (Ps. 24:1). They held their property in trust for Him and were expected to use it as He Himself would – generously and with a view to the needs of others. We are our neighbor’s keeper, and we must always be prepared to share our property with those in need.

But, second, the needy must not take advantage. You could eat your fill of grapes or grain, but you could not put any in your bag or cut any with a sickle for later consumption. Our neighbor is to be generous, but we must always respect his property as just that – his.

This series of In the Gates we present a detailed explanation of the Law of God, beginning with the Ten Commandments, and working through the statutes and rules that accompany each commandment. For a practical guide to the role of God’s Law in the practice of ethics, get The Ground for Christian Ethics by going to www.ailbe.org and click on our Book Store.