or property, nor bring it into our possession by unfair dealing or
fraudulent means, but rather assist him to improve and protect it.

* * * * *

The object of this commandment is to protect every man in the possession
of that which is lawfully his own. Without such protection the
individual could not support his life, and society could not exist. The
industrious and thrifty would be at the mercy of the lazy and wicked.
This commandment _forbids_ us to use dishonest means of acquiring
property. It _commands_ us to assist our neighbor to improve and protect
his own.

PROPERTY consists of whatever each person lawfully acquires of the
earth's lands, forests, water, mines, houses, goods or money. It may be
rightfully acquired by original claim, inheritance, gift, or labor of
body or mind. Honest labor united with economy is the best way to
acquire it.

UNEQUAL DIVISION. God, who is the absolute owner of all things, [I Cor.
10:26] divides to each as He will. [Jer. 27:5] He "maketh poor and
maketh rich." [I Sam. 2:7, Prov. 22:2+] Much poverty, however, is due to
men's own laziness, idleness, [II Thess. 3:10+] carelessness or
extravagance; and much wealth has been wrongfully gained contrary to
God's will as expressed in this commandment. _Communism_, or the equal
division of property among all men, is not practicable. It failed in the
apostolic Church. [Acts 5:1-10] If all things were equally divided, some
would soon clamor for another division.

POVERTY AND RICHES. The happiest person is he who is neither rich nor