Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on 11th Sunday of Ordinary Time.

My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are fourteen (14) “In Brief” articles in the Catechism of the Catholic Church addressing the Seventh Commandment of the Decalogue, ‘You shall not steal.’ The following is a reflection on CCC 2461.
The Seventh Commandment of God, ‘You shall not steal,’ also involves almsgiving. What we give as alms is not stolen from us. We give freely as the good God has freely given us so much (i.e. existence, life, faith, grace, redemption…). The love of God for the generous and cheerful giver is made clear in 2 Corinthians 9:7. Almsgiving to the poor is treated in Sacred Scripture repeatedly. The giving of alms is a way of redemption and seeking the mercy of God (cf. Daniel 4:27). Almsgiving is part of the divine command (cf. Matthew 6:1–4; Luke 12:33). To give alms is part of the apostolic witness (cf. Acts 3:3). When we give alms it is a good work and a manifestation of discipleship (cf. Acts 9:36). Almsgiving is a way of having God hear and remembering our prayers and devotion (cf. Acts 10:4, 31).
When we give alms to help the needy poor it is a sign of fraternal charity, that is, brotherly love. Giving alms to the needy poor is an act of love of neighbor which is part of how we fulfill God’s holy will (cf. Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31). When we give alms we are doing unto others as we would have them do unto us (cf. Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31).
Giving alms is also a practice of justice, giving each their due. Of course we should never reward sloth or laziness (cf, 2 Thessalonians 3:10). But if someone is too sick or too aged to work, we have a responsibility to care for them (cf. Matthew 25:35). In fact, we are our brothers keeper (cf. Genesis 4:8–10). We can not affirm our love for God without loving our neighbors in need (cf. James 2:16; 1 John 4:20). Saint Thomas Aquinas, OP (+1274) highlights the connection between the love of charity and almsgiving, citing 1 John 3:17 (cf. ST II-II Q. 32, A. 1). In this context we can see the relation between charity (love) covering a multitude of sins and almsgiving (cf. 1 Peter 4:8). Saint Thomas, with Saint Augustine, also highlights that we are to give to those who ask, without doing injury or harm to ourselves or others (cf. Matthew 5:42; ST II-II Q. 32, A. 3).
Almsgiving pleases God. Which one of us on Judgment Day would not want the good God to be pleased with us, remembering our good deeds, almsgiving included? While we often consider the monetary value of alms which we give, we should not neglect the various spiritual alms which are no less important. Saint Thomas highlights the example of physical hunger and spiritual hunger (for truth) which should both be satisfied by almsgiving, both corporal and spiritual (ST II-II Q. 32, A. 3).
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr