Chapter 14
 God gave man the earth and its resources to use,
enjoy, appreciate, and share freely with one another.
This is called stewardship.
 Individuals or groups of people may own property.
Every person has the right to own property. Property
requires respect for ownership.
 The Seventh Commandment teaches us not to steal or
damage the property of others.
 We have obligations when we use another’s
property by permission. We must return it in the
same condition in which we received it. If we
damage or lose it, we must make restitution.
 The Seventh Commandment forbids fraud and
usury.
 We must be just in payment for goods and
services we receive.
 The Tenth Commandment
governs our desire for
possessions.
 Two ways this commandment
is broken are through envy
and avarice. Envy is being
resentful of another’s success.
Avarice is greed.
 Stealing is wrong because it is
unjust. The Seventh
Commandment governs wages:
just wages must be paid, and
just work must be done for
wages.
 Charity requires us to share
what we have with those in
need. Almsgiving is a work of
justice and charity. If someone
cannot provide for his needs by
his labor, others are required to
share of their excess.
What does
usury mean
again?
Vocabulary
http://www.quia.com/jg/2242362.html
 He was known as “the poor man”. He
earned this title by owning little more
than the shirt on his back.
 Saint Francis said that he was married to
“Lady Poverty” and never wanted to own
anything.
 Francis roamed the hillsides of Assisi, he
praised God, he lived in the open; he
prayed long hours; he begged; and he
rebuilt a chapel that had fallen in
disrepair. Others began following his
lead and soon a great religious order
grew up around Francis’s example.
 St. Francis is set before us as one who had
the right attitude toward material
possessions. We should not set our heart
on riches.