Exploitation, cheating, and trickery all have negative connotations but imply varying degrees of depravity or sinfulness.

When you think about it, there is no commandment specifically against cheating. We’re not supposed to lie, steal, covet, or commit adultery; that much is spelled out. But cheating is not only not expressly forbidden, it is also more or less a biblical tradition.

Jesus said to his disciples, “There was once a rich man who had a manager. He got reports that the manager had been taking advantage of his position by running up huge personal expenses. So he called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about you? You’re fired. And I want a complete audit of your books.’

Every once in a while, I am aware that I spend more money than I should on things that I really do not need. The most recent example, but not the only one, occurred not long ago when in Chicago for three weeks, waiting for the birth of a second grandchild.

I used to play volleyball at a park with my brother and a bunch of guys from his parish. We had a great time with lots of spirited play and great volleys. We thought we were getting pretty good, too.

“That’s not right,” Natalie complained when she found out her neighbor Paul was subletting three parking spaces for $80 each a month when the man who owned the spaces was leasing them to Paul for only $75 total per month. Apparently the other two parking subletters were none too happy either and started questioning Paul’s honesty.

When I was a kid a corner store opened up across the street from the public school, obviously looking for the children’s business. It sold candy and toys, the cheap but gaudy kind that attracted your allowance, all of it, without your having to ask your parents for more money.

We ask God to look upon us with mercy and forgiveness.

Working for a just distribution of the fruits of the earth and human labor is not mere philanthropy. It is a moral obligation.