"Say What?" Monday Catechism Series #14 - Slaves of Economy

I believe the Catechism is THE tool for the re-evangelizing of secular society and the renewal of Catholic culture. Every Monday in this mini-series I'll share a gem from our Catechism of the Catholic Church that is interesting, relevant, or remarkable. _________________________________________________________________________

What is the point of an economic system ? What is its end? Does it have a purpose bigger than just making sure people play nice with their money?

The word "economy" can be traced back to the Greek word οἰκονόμος (transliterated 'oikonomia') which means roughly "house rule" or "household management".

Capitalism, socialism, distributism - these are just a few of the variety of economic systems thought up by men to define the "household rules" that should govern a large group of people trying to live life.

Check it out:

2426  The development of economic activity and growth in production are meant to provide for the needs of human beings. Economic life is not meant solely to multiply goods produced and increase profit or power; it is ordered first of all to the service of persons, of the whole man, and of the entire human community. Economic activity, conducted according to its own proper methods, is to be exercised within the limits of the moral order, in keeping with social justice so as to correspond to God's plan for man.²⁰⁹

So the question to ask when making economic decisions is not who will benefit, will it help us be more innovative or powerful as a nation, but is it serving the human person. That is to say, is it promoting the common good: that which causes the human person to thrive and flourish as a human person should.

We are not slaves to a set of macro forces that require us to obey or suffer the consequences. The purpose of an ideal economy should be the service of the human person.

+JMJ

_________________________________________________________________

Like this Series? Subscribe here to get it in your email and you’ll never miss any Catholic goodness from this blog!  Do it here!