In this week’s column, we return to our ongoing series on Catholic Social Teaching to introduce another foundational concept, the Universal Destination of Goods.
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), we find the en- try regarding the universal destination of goods in the chapter regarding the 7th Commandment, “You shall not steal.” Christian living is about serving God and serving others and the goods of the earth were all made for that purpose (see CCC 2401, 2402).
The Church declares that it is a “natural” right for an individual or association to own property and goods; theft is condemned. At the same time, to refuse to share the goods of the earth fairly with others is to deprive them of what is rightfully theirs. God has gifted the world to us in order that each one has what is necessary for their full development.
“God destined the earth and all it contains for all men and all peoples so that all created things would be shared fairly by all mankind under the guidance of justice tempered by charity” -Gaudium et Spes 69
Private Property Rights vs. Universal Destination of Goods
…it is the second which wins out. In the words of the Catechism, it is “primordial” because from the very beginning of creation, the goods of the earth were given to all (CCC 2403). What do any of us own that was not given to us or somehow received? And what will we take with us when it is time to leave this world?
Maybe some readers are getting worried; are you asking yourself whether the concept of the universal destination of goods is really a Catholic principle, or perhaps a socialist one? Maybe you are wondering, “But, what about the free market?”
In Catholic thought and doctrine, neither “the market” nor economic systems, nor political entities have the final word and the Church does not endorse one system over another. All is subject to God; everything that we have comes from God. Therefore, the teaching regarding material goods and the sharing of those goods must be subject to the authority of God, the Creator of all things.
Although the right to personal ownership is recognized in CST, it is still subject to all the laws of God and is to be at the service of all, not to be co-opted by any individual or organization for a means other than that for which it was intended:
“Political authority has the right and duty to regulate legitimate exer- cise of the right to ownership for the sake of the common good.” (CCC 2406) In our lives, the Church does not impose hard and fast rules, but instead provides the guiding principle so that when in doubt, we make sure that ALL benefit by the goods received and produced and no one is left out. The bottom line: ensure the common good. If you own more than you need, share the surplus. To do otherwise is to violate the Seventh Commandment.
A selection from the wisdom of the Church:
“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. John Chrysostom
“When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice.” -St Gregory the Great