Pius X Catechism – The Tenth Commandment

Location: On the Commandments of God and of the Church > The Tenth Commandment

Q1: What does the Tenth Commandment, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s goods, forbid?

A1: The Tenth Commandment, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s goods, forbids the wish to deprive another of his goods and the wish to acquire goods by unjust means.

Q2: Why does God forbid even the desire of another’s goods?

A2: God forbids the unregulated desire of another’s goods, because He wishes us to be just even in thought and will, and to hold ourselves completely aloof from unjust acts.

Q3: What does the Tenth Commandment command?

A3: The Tenth Commandment commands us to be satisfied with the state in which God has placed us, and to bear poverty patiently should God have placed us in that condition.

Q4: How can a Christian be content in a state of poverty?

A4: A Christian can be content in a state of poverty by reflecting that our greatest good is a pure and peaceful conscience; that our true home is heaven; and that Jesus Christ made Himself poor for love of us and has promised a special reward to those who bear poverty patiently.