Work, property and religious liberty

Genesis gives man dominion over the earth and places him in the paradise of pleasure to dress and keep it. Work precedes the fall, as a charge given with the gift. It bears on the goods of the earth being given to man for his use, and on work as part of that gift.

And God blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all living creatures that move upon the earth.

And the Lord God took man, and put him into the paradise of pleasure, to dress it, and to keep it. And he commanded him, saying: Of every tree of paradise thou shalt eat:

After the fall, Genesis tells Adam that he shall eat bread in the sweat of his face. Labour becomes toil, yet remains the way man lives from the earth. It bears on work as both a burden and the ordinary means of sustenance.

And to Adam he said: Because thou hast hearkened to the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee, that thou shouldst not eat, cursed is the earth in thy work: with labour and toil shalt thou eat thereof all the days of thy life. Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee, and thou shalt eat the herbs of the earth. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return to the earth out of which thou wast taken: for dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return.

Paul tells the Thessalonians that if any man will not work, neither let him eat, and charges those who walk disorderly to eat their own bread. He is correcting a disorder in a community. It bears on the duty of work.

For also, when we were with you, this we declared to you: that, if any man will not work, neither let him eat. For we have heard there are some among you who walk disorderly: working not at all, but curiously meddling. Now we charge them that are such and beseech them by the Lord Jesus Christ that, working with silence, they would eat their own bread.

In Luke James and John ask to call down fire on a Samaritan village that would not receive Jesus, and he rebukes them: they know not of what spirit they are. The Fathers and later writers cite it on the use of force in matters of religion. It bears on faith not being compelled by violence.

And when his disciples, James and John, had seen this, they said: Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them? And turning, he rebuked them, saying: you know not of what spirit you are. The Son of man came not to destroy souls, but to save. And they went into another town.

Acts describes the first believers as of one heart and one soul, with all things common and none needy. Owners sold lands and houses and laid the price at the apostles’ feet. It bears on the goods of the earth serving all, and on the sharing of goods.

And the multitude of believers had but one heart and one soul. Neither did any one say that aught of the things which he possessed was his own: but all things were common unto them. And with great power did the Apostles give testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord: and great grace was in them all. For neither was there any one needy among them. For as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the price of the things they sold, And laid it down before the feet of the apostles. And distribution was made to every one, according as he had need.

In Acts Peter says to Ananias that the land, while it remained, remained his, and after it was sold was in his power. His sin was the fraud and the lie to the Holy Ghost. It bears on private ownership being recognized even within the community of goods.

But a certain man named Ananias, with Saphira his wife, sold a piece of land, And by fraud kept back part of the price of the land, his wife being privy thereunto: and bringing a certain part of it, laid it at the feet of the apostles. But Peter said: Ananias, why hath Satan tempted thy heart, that thou shouldst lie to the Holy Ghost and by fraud keep part of the price of the land? Whilst it remained, did it not remain to thee? And after it was sold, was it not in thy power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart? Thou hast not lied to men, but to God.

When the council forbids the apostles to teach in the name of Jesus, Peter and the apostles answer that they ought to obey God rather than men. The text is cited for the priority of God’s command over human authority. It bears on conscience and the limits of civil power.

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, Saying: Commanding, we commanded you that you should not teach in this name. And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine: and you have a mind to bring the blood of this man upon us. But Peter and the apostles answering, said: We ought to obey God rather than men.

Asked in Matthew whether it is lawful to give tribute to Caesar, Jesus has them show the coin and says to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. The saying distinguishes two claims. It bears on civil authority having its own sphere, under God.

Tell us therefore what dost thou think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the coin of the tribute. And they offered him a penny. And Jesus saith to them: Whose image and inscription is this? They say to him: Caesar's. Then he saith to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God, the things that are God's.

Before Pilate, in John, Jesus says that his kingdom is not of this world and that he came to give testimony to the truth. The Church cites it for the nature of his kingdom, which is not defended by force. It bears on religion and civil power.

Jesus answered: My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from hence. Pilate therefore said to him: Art thou a king then? Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.