Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 465 – Part III.

YOUCAT Question n. 465 - Part III. What attitude should a Christian take toward other people’s property?

(Youcat answer - repeated) A Christian must learn to distinguish reasonable desires from those that are unreasonable and unjust and to acquire an interior attitude of respect for other people’s property.

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 2537) It is not a violation of this commandment to desire to obtain things that belong to one's neighbor, provided this is done by just means. Traditional catechesis realistically mentions "those who have a harder struggle against their criminal desires" and so who "must be urged the more to keep this commandment":… merchants who desire scarcity and rising prices, who cannot bear not to be the only ones buying and selling so that they themselves can sell more dearly and buy more cheaply; those who hope that their peers will be impoverished, in order to realize a profit either by selling to them or buying from them… physicians who wish disease to spread; lawyers who are eager for many important cases and trials (Roman Catechism, III, 37). 2537   

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) Covetousness leads to greed, avarice, theft, robbery and fraud, violence and injustice, envy and immoderate desires to own what belongs to others.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 2552) The tenth commandment forbids avarice arising from a passion for riches and their attendant power.  

(The next question is: What is envy, and how can you fight against it?)