The Tenth Commandment

"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods"

COMPENDIUM

This Commandment forbids desiring to deprive other people of their goods, or wishing to acquire them by unjust means. God forbids unruly desires of other people's property, because He wishes us to be just even in thought, and to keep unjust acts at as great a distance from ourselves as possible.

The Tenth Commandment orders us to be content with the state in which God has placed us, and to bear poverty with patience, when He desires us to live in that condition. Even in poverty, a Christian may be content by reflecting that the greatest good of all is a pure and quiet conscience, that his true country is heaven, and that Jesus Christ made Himself poor for our sakes, and has promised a special reward to all who endure poverty with patience.

CATECHISM

465. What does the Tenth Commandment, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods, forbid?

The Tenth Commandment, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods, forbids the wish to deprive another of his goods and the wish to acquire goods by unjust means.

466. Why does God forbid even the desire of another's goods?

God forbids the unregulated desire of another's goods, because He wishes us to be just even in thought and will, and to hold ourselves completely aloof from unjust acts.

467. What does the Tenth Commandment command?

The Tenth Commandment commands us to be satisfied with the state in which God has placed us, and to bear poverty patiently should God have placed us in that condition.

468. How can a Christian be content in a state of poverty?

A Christian can be content in a state of poverty by reflecting that our greatest good is a pure and peaceful conscience; that our true home is heaven; and that Jesus Christ made Himself poor for love of us and has promised a special reward to those who bear poverty patiently.