The Catholic Sun :: Phoenix Diocesan Newspaper

‘Thou shalt not steal’

Part One

From the Enron scandal to insider trading, from shoplifting to unjust wages, from tax evasion to environmental pollution, from forgery of checks to loafing on the job, our contemporary society is rife with violations of God’s command, “Thou shalt not steal.” And the above examples do not include armed robbery, which is among the most widespread crimes in America today.

As we consider the Seventh Commandment, then, we do so at a time when respect for people and their property is dreadfully low. Pick up a newspaper on any given day and you will find reports of crimes against the Seventh Commandment. But rather than focus on the violations of God’s law, with which we are already too familiar, let us consider the positive things that God is asking of us when He says, “Thou shalt not steal.”

Creation intended for all

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says of the Seventh Commandment (CCC #2401), “It commands justice and charity in the care of earthly goods and the fruits of men’s labor. For the sake of the common good, it requires respect for the universal destination of goods and respect for the right to private property. Christian life strives to order this world’s goods to God and to fraternal charity.”

Notice that, beyond the necessary “No” to theft, there stands a much larger “Yes” to good stewardship of God’s gifts. And this stewardship is guided by two principles: the right to private property on the one hand and the universal destination of goods on the other. The second of these two principles takes precedence over the first; it also guides the way that private property is to be used. In this regard, the Catechism teaches (CCC # 2404-5):

“The ownership of any property makes its holder a steward of Providence, with the task of making it fruitful and communicating its benefits to others, first of all his family.

“Goods of production — material or immaterial — such as land, factories, practical or artistic skills, oblige their possessors to employ them in ways that will benefit the greatest number. Those who hold goods for use and consumption should use them with moderation, reserving the better part for guests, for the sick and the poor.”

God has blessed many people with the ability and the opportunity to be successful. With this success comes the serious responsibility of contributing to the common good.

Social Teaching of the Church

Over the past century and a half, since the beginning of the industrial revolution, the Church has experienced significant development of its social doctrine, sometimes called the “social Gospel.” This development took place, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as new questions were being raised about the ethical dimensions of labor and ownership. It also developed in the face of communism, socialism, capitalism and various other ideologies that at times had a profound impact on the lives of men, women and children. The impact has been often positive, while at other times it has been radically detrimental.

Still today, as the Church looks for the most effective ways of handing on the Gospel of Christ, promoting good stewardship, confronting false ideologies, and facing new social realities, it engages in social teaching. In other words, it “proposes principles for reflection; it provides criteria for judgment; it gives guidelines for action.” (CCC #2423)

These efforts of the Church have produced a significant body of moral and theological teaching about economic activity, social justice, human work, and responsibilities of governments and citizens. I urge us all to become ever more familiar with this teaching, beginning with the brief summary that is found in the Catechism (CCC # 2419ff). For further education on this topic, please refer to the recently published “Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church.”

The Church’s social teaching provides guidance on a variety of demanding but vital issues. Some examples are: what constitutes a just wage, when recourse to a strike is morally justifiable and whether social security programs are legitimate. It is not hard to see why this teaching is important and relevant for people today.

Love for the poor

With the technological advances that have made travel and communication swift and affordable to many, we have become much more aware of global issues and of their impact on people, especially the poor. We know about the “gap” that exists between nations that are rich in resources and those that are mired down in dire poverty. This new awareness brings with it an accompanying responsibility for good stewardship of the earth’s resources.

In this regard, the Catechism reminds us (CCC # 2439), “Rich nations have a grave moral responsibility toward those which are unable to ensure the means of their development by themselves or have been prevented from doing so by tragic historical events. It is a duty in solidarity and charity; it is also an obligation in justice if the prosperity of the rich nations has come from resources that have not been paid for fairly.”

Nations, however, do not and will not respond effectively to overcome the economic and social inequalities between nations unless individual persons are first committed to this goal. That is why Jesus repeatedly calls His followers to love the poor (Cf. Mt 5:42, 10:8). And it is why the Church’s concrete service to the poor always has a primary place in her mission. “The Church’s love for the poor… is a part of her constant tradition. This love is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, of the poverty of Jesus, and of His concern for the poor… It extends not only to material poverty but also to the many forms of cultural and religious poverty. Love for the poor is incompatible with immoderate love of riches or their selfish use.” (CCC # 2444)

Poverty comes in many forms; so too does love for the poor — the materially poor, the spiritually poor, the culturally poor. In Christ, who became poor so that we might become rich in God’s mercy, we find how to deal with our own poverty and to love others in theirs. We also find the inspiration to serve the poor, beginning with those who are nearest to us. All the commandments, including “Thou shalt not steal,” find their fulfillment in the practice of justice and love.