The 7th Commandment of GOD

Thou shalt not steal.”

Exodus 20:15
 Thou shalt not steal.”
Exodus 20:15
Written Report By: PALO, MAUREEN KAYE C. BSA-2

COMMANDMENT THAT ENCOMPASSES ALL THE OTHERS

The one commandment that encapsulates all the others is the seventh commandment, "Thou shalt not
steal." How do the other commandments fit into the statement, "Thou shalt not steal"? Murder is the theft of
another person's life, adultery is the theft of another person's marriage, coveting is the desire to take another
person's property, providing a false witness is the theft of justice, and so on.

UNIQUENESS OF THE 7TH COMMANDMENT

Another distinction that makes this commandment special is that it is the only one that is open-
ended in any form. The other commandments are all quite explicit. For instance, the Fourth commandment
emphasizes that we ought to revere our parents. Taking the life of an innocent person is prohibited under the
Fifth Commandment. The Sixth Commandment, which forbids adultery, also pertains to married individuals.
Adultery cannot be committed by two single persons. But the prohibition against stealing makes no mention
whatsoever of what it is that we are barred from stealing. Therefore, we are not allowed to take anything that
belongs to someone else.

THREE BIG THINGS TO WHAT DOES THE 7TH COMMANDMENT MEAN

I. I. The prohibition against theft has always been interpreted, first and foremost, to signify that we are not
permitted to abduct or otherwise take another person. Slavery is defined in the Bible as the kidnapping
and sale of human people as slaves. It involves abducting defenseless or free individuals. The seventh
commandment explicitly forbade doing such.

II. The reverence for private property is the second important meaning of the prohibition against stealing.
We are not allowed to steal other individuals, nor are we allowed to steal their possessions.

III. The third and most crucial interpretation of the prohibition against theft relates to the numerous
intangible possessions that each individual possesses: their reputation; their dignity; their trust; and their
intellectual property.

1. Reputation
- Stealing someone's reputation, whether by slander, rumor, or libel, is extremely damaging. Because
once a person's good name has been taken, it can virtually never be entirely recovered, unlike money
and goods.
2. Dignity
- The taking away of someone's dignity is referred to as humiliation. And embarrassing someone,
especially in front of others, can permanently harm our dignity, which is likely the most valuable
possession each of us possesses.
3. Trust
 - The act of deceiving someone is referred to as stealing their trust. One example would be when
someone deceives another with false declarations of love in order to get money or sexual favors; the
Hebrew name for this is "g'neivat da'at", which literally means "stealing knowledge."
4. Intellectual property
- This type of theft can range from duplicating software, downloading music and movies without
paying for them, to plagiarizing someone else's writings.
There is almost no area of human existence that is unaffected by stealing, sometimes irreversibly so.
This includes taking a life, a person, a spouse, monetary possessions, intellectual property, a reputation,
dignity, or trust.
SEVENTH COMMANDMENT DEMANDS
There is much more at issue here than just the question of whether we are blatantly stealing from
others. The underlying problem is how we perceive what is someone else's property. To put it another way,
the seventh commandment expects us to respect others and their property. It's hard to steal someone while
yet treating them with respect. It doesn't matter how simple it is to steal anything. It doesn't matter if we will
likely be caught or not. Fundamentally, it's about treating one another with respect.
A different set of principles is described in the Bible: "Let him who stole steal no more; rather, let
him labor, doing with his hands that which is good, that he may have something to give him who has need."
(Ephesians 4:28). In other words, the greatest method to fight against our tendency to take is to make an
effort to give. Making a conscious effort to replace taking with giving instead of doing it automatically or
frequently is a powerful method to improve our relationships with one another and with God.

Moral Duties on The Seventh Commandment

Written Report By: JOSOL, JAY MARK M. BSA-2

Respect for the universal destination of goods and respect for the right to private property
The appropriation of property is legitimate for guaranteeing the freedom and dignity of persons and for
helping each of them to meet his basic needs and the needs of those in his charge” ( Ibid. ). The universal
destination of goods remains primordial, [1] even if the promotion of the common good requires respect for
the right to private property and its exercise” (Catechism 2403). Respecting the right to private property is
important for the orderly development of social life.
In his use of things man should regard the external goods he legitimately owns not merely as exclusive to
himself but common to others also, in the sense that they can benefit others as well as himself’ (Vatican
Council II, Const. Gaudium et spes , 69, 1). 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 his
family” (Catechism 2404).
Respect for persons and their goods
In economic matters, respect for human dignity requires the practice of the virtue of temperance, so as to
moderate attachment to this world’s goods; the practice of the virtue of justice, to preserve our neighbor’s
rights and render him what is his due; and the practice of solidarity, in accordance with the golden rule and
in keeping with the generosity of the Lord, who “though he was rich, yet for your sake . . . became poor so
that by his poverty, you might become rich.”
The seventh commandment forbids theft, that is, usurping another’s property against the reasonable will of
the owner. There is no theft if consent can be presumed or if refusal is contrary to reason and the universal
destination of goods. This is the case in obvious and urgent necessity when the only way to provide for
immediate, essential needs (food, shelter, clothing . . .) is to put at one’s disposal and use the property of
others. Even if it does not contradict the provisions of civil law, any form of unjustly taking and keeping the
property of others is against the seventh commandment: thus, deliberate retention of goods lent or of objects
lost; business fraud; paying unjust wages; forcing up prices by taking advantage of the ignorance or hardship
of another. 

As a moral virtue, justice consists of the habit whereby with a firm and constant will one gives to everyone
their due. Justice between individual persons is called commutative justice (for example paying a debt);
distributive justice “regulates what the community owes its citizens in proportion to their contributions and
needs” (Catechism 2411); [5] and legal justice is that of the citizen with regard to the community (for
example, paying just taxes).
The virtue of solidarity is “the firm and constant decision to insist on fostering the common good, that is, the
good of each and every person, because we are all truly responsible for everyone.” [6] Solidarity is the
“sharing of spiritual goods even more than material ones” (Catechism 1948).
There is an obligation to make reparation: anyone committing an injustice must make reparation for the
harm caused insofar as is possible. The restitution of stolen goods —or at least the desire and intention to do
so—is necessary to receive sacramental absolution. The duty of restitution is an urgent obligation: guilty
delay increases the creditor’s harm and the debtor’s guilt. The physical or moral impossibility, as long as it
lasts, excuses from the duty to reimburse. The duty can be eliminated if, for example, the debt is pardoned
by the creditor.
Love for the Poor
The Catechism teaches that “love for the poor is incompatible with immoderate love of riches or their selfish
use.” This is explained by the universal destination of goods, and how the right to private property is ordered
to it, with a preferential option for the poor.

The Church also teaches that “love for the poor is even one of the motives for the duty of working so as to
‘be able to give to those in need.’” This love for the poor, or preferential option for the poor, is based on
Jesus’s own words, when He identifies Himself with the poor, saying, “as you did it to one of the least of
these my brethren, you did it to me.”

The duty to give out of one’s excess is one of Christian charity, but when it pertains to the poor, it becomes a
matter of justice. The Church calls for “the demands of justice [to] be satisfied lest the giving of what is due
in justice be represented as the offering of a charitable gift.” This duty of justice is alluded to by several
Fathers of the Church. St. John Chrysostom teaches that “not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to
steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs.” St. Basil the Great
harshly reprimands his congregation on the same topic:
When someone steals another’s clothes, we call them a thief. Should we not give the same name to one who
could clothe the naked and does not? The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry; the coat unused in
your closet belongs to the one who needs it; the shoes rotting in your closet belong to the one who has no
shoes; the money which you hoard up belongs to the poor. 
St. Gregory the Great, in his Regula Pastoralis, teaches that “when we administer necessities to the needy,
we give them what is their own, not what is ours; we pay a debt of justice, rather than do a work of mercy. 

The Prohibitions under the Seventh Commandment

Written Report By: RIVERA, CATHERINE M. BSA-2

Let's continue knowing more about the seventh commandment, "You shall not steal".

In discussing the seventh commandment, we could perfectly attach this to the word "fences". In
Bisaya, kural. In Tagalog, "bakod". Of course, we're all aware why fences exist and it is there for good
reasons which is to help protect our property, the property of our neighbors and to prevent others from
stealing your things away from you. It also helps people understand what is theirs and what is not theirs,
what is yours and not yours.

Compared to the other Commandments, the seventh commandment might appear to be the most
nebulous or unclear as it is perhaps the least specific as to what it deals with. To be clear, this commandment
is about not just stealing like robbing a bank or stealing a car. It's also about getting anything in a dishonest
way. In short, reminding us that God's plan for his human creatures is that we respect what is not ours and
making sure that what God has given to others continues to be protected and even improved.

With all of that mentioned, let's now go to the prohibitions under the seventh commandment. 

1. Stealing Human Beings

This points out to the idea, to the most common manner why some people became slaves especially
if we go back in history which involves the most common way which is through kidnapping. Kidnapping
people and selling them into slavery is what is mostly happening under here which is completely prohibited.
This is same to what was done to Africans throughout history and to some people of some countries as well.

2. Stealing Property

Which points out to stealing another's property against the reasonable will of the owner. Of course,
we are forbidden to steal the belongings or property of others. And just as we are forbidden to steal people,
we are also forbidden to steal what people own. So to make an example, we should not directly copy and
paste from the internet without citing the authors that we will arrive at the point where we will illegally
claim their works as our own. Another, if you perhaps saw lost items, do not keep it to yourself. You should
return it or perhaps give it to someone who can give it to the person who lost it because you may not know
how a person miserably feels when they lost something special or important.
3. Stealing Another Person's Reputation, Dignity, etc.

Now this also points out that non material things can also be stolen such as reputation, dignity, trust,
and intellectual property of a person. 
Even through libel, slander, or gossip, you can already ruin a person's reputation which is difficult to
recover once it is done. Also, when you humiliate a person, especially if it is in public, it can do permanent
damage that is hard to vanish. Another, if you are the kind of person that is "paasa" or loves to make people
believe you, you're already stealing that person's trust. So, it would be better just minding your own business
and let people live alone in peace.

4. Societal Corruption
-Paying unjust wages.
-Tax evasion
-Business fraud 
-& many similar kinds

We're all completely familiar with the things mentioned. As we can see in our societies today, it is
filled with corruption so it is really impossible for our society to progress politically, morally, or
economically. Hence, that's why it would be better to start the change in yourself. Be the best model you can
be to other people and that is through following the ten commandments.

New Testament Teaching

Written Report By: HINGOSA, MELDIE KRIS V. BSA-2

Nor Thieves, nor greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of
God. - 1 Corinthians 6:10
Explanation:
Thieves, selfish people, those who are frequently intoxicated, persons who revile or abuse others, and
swindlers or con artists are also on the list. Living as a glutton or a drinker is given same weight as
homosexuality or idol worship. All of them are common ways of living today, and the idea is that none of
them should be common among Christians in the church. Those who persist in them or accept them
demonstrate that they are not subject to God's will. That is the mark of an atheist.

So, who will be the heir to God's kingdom? Only the offspring of God. Who exactly are God's
children? Only those who have come to God via trust in Christ and have been proclaimed righteous by His
grace despite their sinful actions are eligible.
Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves
break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not
destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. - Matthew 6:19-20
Explanation:
The text goes on to say that investments in Heaven cannot be threatened by others, unlike all of the
material things that can be stolen or destroyed. Jesus implies that this is the safest type of investment as a
result. This is a very logical and pragmatic defense of piety that is comparable to Pascal's Wager. The term
"treasures" can refer to either the items in a storehouse or a treasure box. Clothes were a significant
investment during this time period, and moths are frequently connected to the destruction of fabrics.
He who steal must steal no more rather, he must labour with his own hands so that he will have
something to share with one who has need. - Ephesians 4:28
Explanation:
 Stealing can be disguised in a variety of ways, teaching us that it is prohibited in every aspect of life
and must be done so in both letter and spirit.It not only demands that we behave differently on the outside,
but that our actions come from a heart that has been transformed to love and honor the Lord and show
genuine concern for the welfare of others.

Not only do we control our former lusts, but our altered behavior also springs from a pure, Christlike heart
of compassion and love.

Church Teaching
Written Report By: DALAHAY, REZIEL FAITH V. BSA-2

The church teaches us on what we must do and not to do to avoid the things that we can commit in
violation to the 7th commandment that God give to us. The 7 th sacrament forbids us on unjustly taking or
keeping the goods of one’s neighbor and wronging him in any way with respect to his goods or things. The
church also said to us that this commandment, commands justice and charity in the care of earthly goods and
the fruits of men/women labor. For the sake of the common good it requires respect for the universal
destination of goods and respect for the right to property. The Christian life that the church wanted us to live
on is to strives to order these world things to God and to fraternal charity and also be contented to what God
gave to us.
I’ll gave you some moral imperatives or command or the church trying to point out in this 7 th
sacrament that they wanted to understand and live on. These are the ff.
1. The Universal Destination and the Private Ownership of God
2. Respect for the Goods of Others
3. Respect for the Integrity of Creation
4. Justice and Charity
THE UNIVERSAL DESTINATION AND THE PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF GOD
The right to private property acquired or received in a just way, does not do away with the original
gift of the earth to the whole of Mankind. The Universal destination of goods remains primordial, even if the
promotion of the common good requires respect for the right to private property and its exercise.

 In the beginning God entrusted us the things he made in the world including its resources and the
common steward of this is us “the mankind” to take care of them master them by labor and able to
enjoy the fruit or benefits that we received from it. The goods of creation are destined for the whole
human race not own by a single person. The appropriation of property is legitimate for guaranteeing
us the freedom and dignity of persons and for helping each other of our basic needs.
 In use of these things that we received now or the external goods is not really own by us we are just a
steward on it but the legitimate owner is only GOD. In that sense all these things in the word are a
private property of that that only entrusted to us. These things are universal to us. So, we don’t have
the right to own it and not willing to share it to others. Those people thinking that he/she own a
portion of land with lot of fruit tree on it he/she don’t have the right to prohibit other person to get a
portion of the fruit to it cause he/she only a steward not the real owner.
 Also, the church tells us the Goods of production or the material or immaterial such as land,
factories, practical or artistic skills, oblige their possessors to employ them in ways that it can benefit
 most of the people and also put in moderation for consumption of these goods or property for
reserving it to people in the future and also for the sick and poor. Over using it is somewhat an action
of stealing some goods that is reserve for the next generation for our max consumption in today’s
generation.
RESPECT FOR THE GOODS OF OTHERS
The 7th commandment forbids taking or keeping unjustly what is our neighbor, or causing him unjust
harm in his material goods. Theft or stealing's committed when another’s goods are taken secretly. Robbery
is the Violent seizing of another goods. Fraud is theft by means of deceiving one’s neighbor with traps, false
documents or etc. Usury consists in claiming greater interest than is lawful for the amount loaned.

 The church really emphases the word respect of the goods of other and be contented on what we
received and emphases the things that we shouldn’t do to other because it can violate the 7 th
commandment. Those things are Theft or stealing someone property secretly or owning it like
he/she is the real owner. Then the Robbery it is the violent stealing of someone’s property or goods
by making them scared on the things that they bring during their robbery operation. Next is Fraud,
yes fraud is also one of the things that we can commit the 7 th commandment by deceiving other
people it is just like you are stealing the original property that you expect to received and replacing it
into other goods. Lastly Usury is other practice that you can steal some property/ goods to other by
rendering a loan with a high interest rate.
 This respect to the goods and other also saying to respect the person or human dignity by not taking
advantage to someone. But sadly, most of the people in today’s generation doing it for their own
benefits and survival needs. Without knowing these practices already, a violation to the 7 th
commandment that God gave to us. We must continue to be generous for this is the God wanted to
live by being real rich is by helping the poorer to raise up.
RESPECT FOR THE INTEGRITY OF CREATION
The 7th commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation. Animals. Like plants and
inanimate beings are by nature destined for the common goods of past, present, and future humanity.

 The use of mineral, vegetable and animal resources of the world cannot be divorced from respect for
moral imperatives which is to take care all of this. The Man’s and other beings granted by God some
property in the world is not absolute. It is limited by concern for the equality of his neighbor
including generations to come. It also requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation. God
also entrusted animals to us as a steward because we are created in his own image. Hence, it is
legitimate to use animals for food and clothing but in moderation because they are domesticated to
help man in his work and leisure. Also, the medical and scientific experimentation on animals is
morally acceptable practice if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or
saving human lives and all living things. We don’t have the power to steal the life of other creation
for our own sake so it must be moderation as what the church wanted us to taught about.
JUSTICE AND CHARITY
Charity the form of all the virtues is at a higher level than justice. It is shown not only, or even
principally, by giving more than is owed in struct justice. Charity consists above all in giving oneself and
must always accompany justice, enlivening it from the inside.
The union of justice and charity is shown for example in giving what is owed with joy, in a concern
not only for the rights of others but also for their needs and generally in practicing justice with refinement
and understanding.
  The justice and charity are both required when caring for those in need and especially the goods that
being entrusted to us. The situation of society will never reach the point where personal attention to
the material and spiritual needs of one’s neighbor is superfluous.
 Justice and charity exercise in each one of us cause the You shall not steal commandment of God is
not just for the property of human race, his creation but also our rights, privileges and all live of
livings things. We need to have justice in everything we do and charity that is willing to share to
other and not be so selfish to the things that only entrusted to us.
So, those are some of the Catholic Teaching that I wanted to share to everyone to have more knowledge on
what are the teaching of the church to this sacrament and it is not just stealing some pen or other property of
our classmates or neighbors but the totality of stealing. Stealing from the Gods creation by owning it buy
your own, stealing to co human race rights and privileges and also stealing the life of all living creatures her
in our world.