Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 465 – Part I.

YOUCAT Question n. 465 - Part I. What attitude should a Christian take toward other people’s property?

(Youcat answer) A Christian must learn to distinguish reasonable desires from those that are unreasonable and unjust and to acquire an interior attitude of respect for other people’s property.   

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 2534) The tenth commandment unfolds and completes the ninth, which is concerned with concupiscence of the flesh. It forbids coveting the goods of another, as the root of theft, robbery, and fraud, which the seventh commandment forbids. "Lust of the eyes" leads to the violence and injustice forbidden by the fifth commandment (Cf. 1 Jn 2:16; Mic 2:2). Avarice, like fornication, originates in the idolatry prohibited by the first three prescriptions of the Law (Cf. Wis 14:12). The tenth commandment concerns the intentions of the heart; with the ninth, it summarizes all the precepts of the Law.   

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) Covetousness leads to greed, avarice, theft, robbery and fraud, violence and injustice, envy and immoderate desires to own what belongs to others.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 2552) The tenth commandment forbids avarice arising from a passion for riches and their attendant power.     

(This question: What attitude should a Christian take toward other people’s property? is continued)