This article examines the Seventh Commandment: “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15; Deuteronomy 5:19), which forbids unjustly taking or keeping the goods of one’s neighbors and wronging them in any way with respect to their goods” (ccc 2401). Does this include seemingly unimportant things like firewood or paper clips or copy paper or crabapples?
I recall, as a child, proudly returning home one day with a bag full of crabapples. My dad asked: “Where did you get them?” By the way I responded, he immediately knew that this was not a gift! (In fact, it took some effort to acquire the sour treats, obtained from a tree at the Governor’s House. I had to climb a chain-link fence, throw myself onto a tall tree, shimmy down the tree, tiptoe through a grassy knoll behind a greenhouse, then walk several feet to get to the crabapple tree. After filling my brown paper bag, I had to retrace my steps back.)
Now tormented and dismayed, I had no choice but to return with my dad to the Governor’s mansion with the ill-gotten apples. I was surprised when the Governor himself answered the door. My dad explained what had occurred, and the Governor looked straight into my eyes saying, “If only you had knocked on my door and asked, I would have given you the apples.” With a wink directed toward my dad, he said: “You may keep them.” My dad protested, “No, he may not. These were stolen from your property and they are not my son’s to keep.”
I never forgot the lesson I learned that day about the Seventh Commandment. Things in life, no matter how sweet or sour, expensive or cheap, grand or cheesy, are not ours to keep if taken unjustly. The Catechism explains: “Any form of unjustly taking and keeping the property of others is against the Seventh Commandment” (ccc 2409). As a child, I was absolutely “guilty.” I was also guilty of trespassing onto private property.
The next theme examines the gift of earthly resources with which God so generously blessed us. The Catechism explains: “In the beginning God entrusted the earth and its resources to the common stewardship of mankind to take care of them, master them by labor, and enjoy their fruits. The goods of creation are destined for the whole human race” (ccc 2402)
That earthly resources are for the benefit of all humanity is not meant to suggest that while some people do all the work, others can just sit back and enjoy the benefits. The Catechism goes on to state that “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 one’s family” (ccc 2404). Here the Catechism emphasizes the right to “private property,” while recognizing that it was God’s property first and continues to be. The property owner is now God’s faithful steward who must ensure “respect for human dignity” (ccc 2407) by providing “food, shelter, (and) clothing” when legitimately needed for the “disposal and use” of those in need (ccc 2408).
Regarding the property of others, the following are listed as “contrary to the moral law and requiring reparation” (ccc 2409):
— manipulating the price of goods artificially to gain an advantage to the detriment of others;
— (influencing) the judgment of those who must make decisions according to law;
— appropriation and use for private purposes of the common goods of an enterprise;
— work poorly done;
— tax evasion;
— forgery of checks and invoices;
— excessive expenses and waste;
— willfully damaging private or public property
A little later we are told: “Those who, directly or indirectly, have taken possession of the goods of another, are obliged to make restitution” (ccc 2412)…“Those who ordered [a theft], assisted in it, or received the stolen goods — are obliged to make restitution” (ccc 2412).
Concerning games of chance/wagers, although they are “not in themselves” morally unacceptable, “they become [so] when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for their needs and those of others” (ccc 2413). This is especially the case when people go to a casino and spend money meant for monthly rent, a mortgage payment or something similar. Such spending is no longer “recreational,” but becomes addictive behavior.
Human slavery is another immoral activity that breaks the Seventh Commandment. The Catechism explains: Any activity that “leads to the enslavement of human beings, to their being bought, sold and exchanged like merchandise …is a sin against the dignity of persons and their fundamental rights” (ccc 2414). In present times, such enslavement exists worldwide, even at our southern border where cartels are responsible for enslaving many, especially children and young women.
The final paragraphs in this section deal with “respecting the integrity of God’s creation.” In short, the world is ours to enjoy, but we also have an obligation to the next generation to hand over a world that is cared for so they, too, will enjoy the fruit of God’s creation (ccc 2415). One example includes animals that “are God’s creatures … By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory. Thus [we] owe them kindness” (ccc 2416) as did saints like Francis of Assisi and Philip Neri.
We are reminded that “God entrusted animals to the stewardship of those whom he created in his own image” (ccc 2417). Thus, it is acceptable “to use animals for food and clothing” and to help in our “work and leisure.” As well, scientific experimentation on animals “is morally acceptable” if it is reasonable and contributes to “saving human lives” (ccc 2417). Still, animals should not be made “to suffer or die needlessly” (ccc 2418). Additionally, spending money on animals that should “go to the relief of human misery” is unacceptable. Although we may “love animals” as pets, the affection we give them is never the same as the affection we should give to another human being.
Our next article will be the second of three articles that will examine the Seventh Commandment.
Father Hillier is Director, diocesan Office of Pontifical Mission Societies, the Office for Persons with Disabilities, and Censor Luborum