In the last post, we began our discussion of the 7th
commandment,
You shall not steal.
We spoke about the various forms of theft out there today,
and included in that, were various forms of economic and political thought that “robs”
human beings of their inherent dignity. One critical aspect of this dignity is the ability to provide
for oneself and be productive. The
Catechism (2436) states this: Unemployment
almost always wounds its victim's
dignity and threatens the equilibrium of his life. Besides the harm done to him
personally, it entails many risks for his family.
What is it about work that is so good that it contributes to
human dignity? The Catechism (2427)
provides a rich explanation: Human work proceeds directly from persons created in the image of God and called
to prolong the work of creation by subduing the earth, both with and for one
another. Hence work is a duty: "If any one will not work, let
him not eat." Work honors the Creator's gifts and the talents
received from him. It can also be redemptive. By enduring the hardship of work
in union with Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth and the one crucified on
Calvary, man collaborates in a certain fashion with the Son of God in his
redemptive work. He shows himself to be a disciple of Christ by carrying the
cross, daily, in the work he is called to accomplish. Work can be a
means of sanctification and a way of animating earthly realities with the
Spirit of Christ.
Through enduring the hardships of work, man participates in
his own sanctification, which is becoming holy.
There is no other better reason for work than that. We become like God in participating in his
work of creation. We become holy. We truly become the best we can be, fulfilling
our potential.
Is this the attitude we bring to our work every day? Do we
truly believe it will make us holy? Do
we go to work to give glory to God?
So because it is a means of holiness and therefore, self-fulfillment, society has an obligation to provide man and women the
opportunity to exercise their gifts and reap the rewards of their labor. The Catechism (2431) explains: "Economic activity, especially the
activity of a market economy, cannot be conducted in an institutional,
juridical, or political vacuum. On the contrary, it presupposes sure guarantees
of individual freedom and private property, as well as a stable currency and
efficient public services. Hence the principal task of the state is to
guarantee this security, so that those who work and produce can enjoy the
fruits of their labors and thus feel encouraged to work efficiently and
honestly. . . . Another task of the state is that of overseeing and
directing the exercise of human rights in the economic sector. However, primary
responsibility in this area belongs not to the state but to individuals and to
the various groups and associations which make up society."
This opportunity to work must be granted to all without
unjust discrimination. We spoke a bit in
our post on racism about the inherent dignity of all men and women. This must be respected when it comes to employment
opportunities.
Work is for man, not man for work. Therefore,
it cannot simply be about profit. The
good of persons must be considered first before profit. However, since profit is necessary to
maintain a business operation and have the aforementioned opportunities for
work, it is reasonable and just to pursue them within reason.
As it is reasonable for employers to pursue profit, so it is
reasonable for employees to pursue a just wage. The Catechism teaches that a just wage must
take into account the kind of work being performed, as well as the needs of the
employee. For example, a man who has to
provide for a family can justly be compensated more than someone doing the same
job that does not have to provide for one.
Recourse to a strike is morally legitimate if necessary to obtain a
legitimate wage or some other benefit for the group as a whole. They become morally unacceptable if violence
is utilized or the objectives are not in line with the working conditions.
Because different people have different interests, sometimes conflict arise in the work world, and in those cases, negotiations are encouraged to resolve conflicts of interest. Groups such as labor unions can provide a very meaningful roles provided their conduct remains within legitimate moral grounds.
Because different people have different interests, sometimes conflict arise in the work world, and in those cases, negotiations are encouraged to resolve conflicts of interest. Groups such as labor unions can provide a very meaningful roles provided their conduct remains within legitimate moral grounds.
If you are interested in more about my feelings and
experience on work from a personal perspective, here is a link to a post I did
very early on in this blog about the topic.
I also did a post early on the model worker, Saint Joseph
that you might be interested in.
So this commandment covers more than just a simple “Don’t
take things from other people.” It is
easier to violate this commandment than one might think. (I think this is true of many of the
Commandments, as we have and will see.) Let us be good stewards of the resources and
time God has given us, as individuals, families, and nations.
Saint Joseph the Worker, pray for us.
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