Pope: All wealth, to be good, must have a social dimension

Illustrating the commandment "You shall not steal", Francis recalls the "universal destination of goods" affirmed by the social doctrine of the Church. "If there is hunger on earth, it is not because of lack of food! Indeed, market demands sometimes leads to us destroying it. What is lacking is a free and far-sighted entrepreneurship, which ensures adequate production, and a solidarity approach, which ensures fair distribution.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "All wealth to be good must have a social dimension". The "universal destination of goods" affirmed by the social doctrine of the Church was reiterated today by Pope Francis in his reflection to participants at the general audience the Commandment " You shall not steal".

Speaking to the 20 thousand people present in Saint Peter's Square, Francis illustrated "the theme of property ownership in the light of Christian wisdom". Asserting that "if there is hunger on earth, it is not because of lack of food! Indeed, market demands sometimes leads to us destroying it. What is lacking is a free and far-sighted entrepreneurship, which ensures adequate production, and a solidarity approach, which ensures fair distribution".

Listening to the seventh commandment, the Pope observed, "let us think about the theft and respect for the property of others. There is no culture in which theft and abuse of goods are lawful; in fact, human sensitivity is very susceptible to the defense of possession. But it is worthwhile to open ourselves up to a wider reading of this Commandment, focusing the theme of the property of goods in the light of Christian wisdom ".

"In the social doctrine of the Church we speak of the universal destination of goods. What does it mean? Let us listen to what the Catechism says: “In the beginning God entrusted the earth and its resources to the common stewardship of mankind to take care of them, master them by labor, and enjoy their fruits. The goods of creation are destined for the whole human race. However, the earth is divided up among men to assure the security of their lives, endangered by poverty and threatened by violence. 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. It should allow for a natural solidarity to develop between men."(No. 2402). And again: "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." (No. 2403). Providence, however, has not arranged a 'series' world, there are differences, different conditions, so one can live by providing for one another. The world is rich in resources to ensure all primary goods. Yet many live in scandalous poverty and the resources, used without criteria, are deteriorating. But there is only one world! There is only one humanity! The wealth of the world today is in the hands of a few and many in misery".

" If there is hunger on earth, it is not because of lack of food! Indeed, market demands sometimes leads to us destroying it. What is lacking is a free and far-sighted entrepreneurship, which ensures adequate production, and a solidarity approach, which ensures fair distribution. The Catechism also says: " n 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." ( No. 2404). All wealth to be good must have a social dimension ".

"In this perspective the positive and broad meaning of the commandment "You shall not steal "appears. "The ownership of a good makes he who owns it an administrator of Providence" (ibid.) ". "Possession is a responsibility, and every good removed from the logic of God's Providence is betrayed in its deepest sense. What I really own is what I can give. This is the measure by which to evaluate how I can obtain wealth. If I can give, I am rich not only with what I am, but also with generosity. In fact, if I cannot give something, it's because that thing has me, has power over me and I'm its slave. The possession of goods is an opportunity to multiply them with creativity and use them with generosity, and thus grow in love and freedom ".

"Christ himself, though God," did not consider being like God a privilege, but emptied himself "(Phil 2: 6-7) and enriched us with his poverty (cf. 2 Cor 8,9). humanity is striving to have more, God redeems it by making himself poor: that Crucified Man has paid an inestimable ransom from God the Father, "rich in mercy" for all (Eph 2: 4, see Gc 5,11) What makes us rich is not our goods but our love. Thus many times we have heard the devil enters through our wallets: first comes the money, the hunger to possess, then vanity, I am rich, and then pride. This is the devil’s way of behaving".

"Dear brothers and sisters, once again Jesus Christ reveals to us the full meaning of the Scriptures: "You shall not steal" means: love with your goods, take advantage of your means to love as you can Then your life becomes good and possession truly becomes a gift, because life is not the time to possess but to love ".

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