Seventh and Tenth Commandments 25: Novarum (Conditions of Workers) by Pope Leo XIII
Seventh and Tenth Commandments 25: Novarum (Conditions of Workers) by Pope Leo XIII
A FAITH THAT DOES JUSTICE
(C 2401-2463, 2534-2557, USC Ch 31 & 34)
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Can it be that God or Providence or Chance merely Tenth Commandment (C 2534-2550)
intends to bestow on me the means to have greater “You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.”
ease and pleasure? Have I been singled out by the
universe to take it easy? If so, why? What have I “Where your treasure is, there also will you heart be”
done to deserve to be pampered while others, not far (Mt 6:21). While the seventh commandment concerns
from here, fall asleep hungry, or die destitute in the the external acts of stealing, the tenth commandment
streets of Bangladesh? Can that be the meaning of my pertains to the inner attitudes, that of greed and envy,
money: that I have a good time while others suffer?” that lead us to steal and act unjustly.
(p. 112) We humans are born with lots of appetites and desires.
When we look at the strong emphasis the Church in For example, we eat when we are hungry and drink
our time places on social justice, we may wonder why. when we are thirsty. In and of themselves, appetites
The answer is simple: we know more today because are good but they can lead to excess and a desire to
we live in a global world. We also know more about have what is not ours.
the structural causes of social injustices, the dynamics The tenth commandment deals with two appetites,
of society that often give the rich and the powerful namely, greed and envy (also called covetousness)
unfair advantage over the hard working poor. which can get us into trouble and keep us from truly
enjoying the material things of life that God has
Pause: “When we attend to the needs of those in want,
blessed us with.
we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than
performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt in Greed. In the New Testament, Jesus frequently warns
justice.” Comment. his audience about the danger of material riches. In Lk
12:15, Jesus says: “Watch and be on your guard
against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not
Forms of Stealing made secure by what he owns, even when he has more
The Catechism has a long list of the various ways that than he needs.” Then Jesus goes on to tell the parable
we can steal and thereby sin against the seventh of the greedy man who decides to pull down his barns
commandment, e.g., business fraud, unjust wages, to build bigger ones to store his grain. The rich man
overpricing, tax evasion, poorly done work, forgery of thinks he will have years to eat, drink and be merry.
checks and invoices, excessive expenses and waste, Then comes the story punchline when Jesus says:
damaging private or public property (C 2409). Other “Fool, this night your life will be demanded of you…
forms of stealing are scams, embezzlement, money- Thus it will be for one who stores up treasure for
laundering, white-collar crime, wasting taxpayer’s himself but is not rich in what matters to God” (Lk
money. True repentance includes making restitution 12:16-21).
for stolen goods. We might say that Jesus called the rich man a “fool”
Gambling. Like so many issues in this commandment, not because he was rich, but because of his failure to
the Catechism has a two-sided approach. On the one share his wealth. There is an enormous difference
hand, “games of chance…or wagers are not in them- between the “greedy rich” and the “generous rich.”
selves contrary to justice.” On the other hand, The latter know that they are merely stewards or
excessive gambling is morally unacceptable (C 2413). managers of their material riches. In sharing their
wealth with the poor and for good causes, they store
Animals. The Catechism (2416) states: “Animals are up treasures in heaven for themselves.
God’s creatures…by their mere existence they bless
him and give him glory. Thus people owe them Envy. The Catechism (2537) states: “Envy is a capital
kindness.” “On the other hand, it is legitimate to use sin. It refers to the sadness at the sight of another’s
animals for food and clothing…and for medical and goods and the immoderate desire to acquire them for
scientific experimentation if it remains within reason- oneself, even unjustly. When it wishes grave harm to a
able limits…and if it contributes to caring for or neighbor it is a mortal sin.”
saving human lives” (C 2417). The Catechism further “St. Augustine saw envy as ‘the diabolical sin.’
states that “it is wrong to cause animals to suffer or From envy are born hatred, detraction, calumny, joy
die needlessly.” On the other hand, “it is also wrong caused by the misfortune of a neighbor, and
to spend money on them that should as a priority go to displeasure caused by his prosperity” (C 2539).
the relief of human misery” (C 2418).
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grace of God, we care for each other and hold each
Pause: What causes us to be greedy and envious? What
helps you to deal with greedy tendencies? other together in many ways. We are called to give of
the gifts we have been given. The only thing we take
with us from this life is what we have given away…
Suggestions for dealing with greed and envy Many Americans just do not know how much
power they have to respond to the tremendous needs
Generosity. The best way to curb greedy and covetous
of so many people who suffer so much in so many
tendencies is by developing a generous and giving
ways. The problem is that many don’t even know the
spirit. Today, many Christians have adopted the
name of anyone who is desperately poor. They don’t
biblical practice of tithing 10% or more of their
know the name of anyone dying of starvation, working
income to their Church family and the poor (see Mal
at the garbage dump, or in need of medical care so
3:7-10). While not all are able to give the full 10%, all
their child will not die. They have never talked with
should be intentional givers. In other words, the
the lonely in a nursing home or prison. They don’t
Church and the poor should not just receive our loose
know the name of a bright child with no access to
change and leftovers. Ideally, giving to one’s Church
education. And so they do not have the will or the
and to the poor is a line item in every disciple’s
know-how to connect. Americans do respond
budget.
generously when they know who suffers and how they
Simple lifestyle. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta once suffer. The problem is we do not know…
said: “Live simply so that others may simply live.” A good first step is to look for opportunities to
One of the blessings of an economic recession is that meet people who suffer injustice. If we stay in our
it forces almost everyone to take a good look at how small communities and never get to meet the
they are spending their money. In a booming oppressed person, we will probably never awaken to
economy, it is very easy to misuse our financial the tremendous injustices around us. However, if we
blessings and to lose sight of the millions of people have the courage to reach out to the oppressed, we
who live daily in dire poverty. will find that there is tremendous power in the
encounter. It can cause a transformation within,
In short, the tenth commandment condemns greed and
leading to compassionate action. It can change the
envy, and calls us to be responsible stewards of God’s
face of the earth…
material blessings.
Most who have journeyed into poor communities
are wonderfully surprised to find that they are almost
Pause: What are your thoughts on the biblical concept of
stewardship—that God owns everything and that our duty is always welcomed with open arms. Missionaries
to be faithful and responsible stewards of his blessings? invariably relate that they were not only welcomed
with great hospitality, but found that they had much to
learn from the people they went to serve. They often
Suggested Actions say they found great faith, hope, generosity, and
humility among the poor. There is a wonderful,
Spend some time reflecting on the biblical concept of powerful conversion and transformation that
stewardship and on your attitude towards money and frequently takes place in the encounter.
material possessions. If you are presently not tithing, (The True Cost of Low Prices –
consider setting aside a percentage of your monthly The Violence of Globalization, p. 133-134)
income to support the Church and poor.
Pause: What spoke to you most in the above meditation?
Meditation