Saints Light
The Commandments · Lesson 8 of 12

The Seventh Commandment: Do Not Steal

Do not take or keep what belongs to others, deal honestly, give back what you have taken unjustly, and share generously with those in need.

This is a summary of Lesson 8 of The Ten Commandments. The full lesson takes about 3 minutes in the Saints Light app.

Moses Presenting the Tablets of the Law, a painting by Philippe de Champaigne
Moses Presenting the Tablets of the Law, Philippe de Champaigne, c. 1648

What this lesson teaches

  • The seventh commandment forbids unjustly taking or keeping another's goods in any form.
  • Private property is a real right, but the earth's goods are meant for everyone.
  • Cheating, unjust wages, tax fraud and wasting an employer's time are quieter forms of theft.
  • Justice requires restitution, giving back what was taken, as far as possible.

Catechism paragraphs this lesson cites

  • CCC 2401-2406
  • CCC 2408-2414
  • CCC 2443-2449

CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.

Scripture read in this lesson: Exodus 20:15; Ephesians 4:28.

A sample question from this lesson

Which of these is a sin against the seventh commandment?

  1. Spending a paid workday on personal projects
  2. Taking a nap on Sunday
  3. Owning a house
  4. Buying a gift for a friend
Show the answer

Spending a paid workday on personal projects. Wasting an employer's time or resources unjustly takes what belongs to another (CCC 2408-2409).

The lesson in the app has three questions, each with an explanation.

Words to know

Restitution
Giving back what was unjustly taken, or making equivalent amends.

More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.

Read the full lesson in the app

"The Seventh Commandment: Do Not Steal" is lesson 8 of The Ten Commandments. In Saints Light you get the whole teaching, the Scripture quoted in full, all three questions and a step to live it this week.

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