A money issue that I don't understand

[The_Chicken]

Hi all,
So I have been thionking about this.
Most of us have a decent job, and we get money to life a good life. I mean good life with food, water, a nice house, etc…And a bit of this money we use for “unnecessary things” like TVs, expensive cars, lots of clothes, etc.
My point is that wouldn’t the right thing be give this money to those who have next to nothing?
I mean, there are people dying because they don’t have any food or water, and we spend money on another pair of shoes, a new computer…Isn’t it wrong??

 

[Starwynd]

I don’t feel it’s wrong at all. Buying these things is not necessarily evil or selfish. Like all things it depends on the intent. However, it is your choice to give or not to give.

 

[adelore]

Hi all,
So I have been thionking about this.
Most of us have a decent job, and we get money to life a good life. I mean good life with food, water, a nice house, etc…And a bit of this money we use for “unnecessary things” like TVs, expensive cars, lots of clothes, etc.
My point is that wouldn’t the right thing be give this money to those who have next to nothing?
I mean, there are people dying because they don’t have any food or water, and we spend money on another pair of shoes, a new computer…Isn’t it wrong??

I very much understand what you are saying. If we have enough money for a roof over our head, clothes, food, ect. then should we lavish ourselves in all kinds of “extras” when we could help someone else out with less or nothing at all.

Yes we should. Although I don’t see anything wrong with any of us having a computer, a TV, the internet, I do feel each person should give to those who have less in some way or the other.

If we get to the point in our lives that “Material Things” mean more to us than helping out our fellow man, then yes there’s something very wrong with that.

One of our daughters is going to college full time, her hubby and her have children, money of course is very tight for them, since our children were raised to work for what they want…it’s hard to get them to take money from us to help them. (we don’t want them to pay us back that’s why they won’t take it.)

So we come up with other things:

My husband and I tend to let our pop bottles build up for years, (in our state we get a depsoit back if we return them) We then give them away. The last time we gave them away it was worth almost 600. to the person we gave them to. The time before was around 500. Of course that time took years too.

Saving change and giving it away. (they have to take it to the bank to get their money.) That’s some work, it’s heavy even if it is in several container.

My one daughter takes care of my hamsters, while I’m gone on the Truck, (of course I always have at least one or two with me on the Truck) and I pay her to watch them. She didn’t want any money for it, I explained to her that if I had to take them somewhere else I’d have to pay for the boarding and since she is cleaning their cage and feeding them, (I provide the food and bedding) that it’d make me feel good to pay her. (Truth be told I can fit them all on the Truck, but this is a good excuse to pay her money, as she wouldn’t take it any other way. Not to mention the Grandkids enjoy the hamsters).

Outside of our family we find ways to give to the needy. We donate money or things to the Salvation Army, Good Will,Charities, ect.

Out on the road acorss the country, we give money to Charities at Truck Stops. We also give money to the Truckers Chapels, they in turn help people in that local community that need it.

Are we rich, heavens no, (truth be told there are several times we could use the money we give away, because like most people we live pay check to pay check and a lot of times come up short on the bills) but we put faith in the Lord that someone else needs it more than we do.

I hope this helps answer your question.

 

[puzzleannie]

we will be judged, Jesus tells us in Matthew 25, on how well we treat the poor and needy among us, both the materially and spiritually poor. How we do it, what means we use is up to us.
That is one of the messages of the parable of the talents. What we have been given does not belong to use for our own sole use. We are expected to care for those entrusted to us and provide for them, to use these gifts to live out our vocation, and to give of our substance (not merely our surplus) to aid the church and God’s poor. Ways and means are left to our own prudential judgement.

personally, if I own two coats, and come across someone who has none, I am stealing if I keep his second coat. Now obviously that does not work literally for everyone (some need 2 coats, one for work, one for casual ie), but I do believe there does come a point when we fall into an attitude of entitlement regarding our own income and buying power, and it is very easy to buy what we can, rather than only what we need.

but real legit needs vary as well. I used to think a cell phone was a luxury, but then there used to be pay phones on every corner. but in my current job it is a necessity and used almost entirely for essential communication required in my situation. A TV is a luxury to me, but a necessity for MIL who is becoming more and more homebound and immobile, is glued to EWTN most of the day, and using this time wisely in her spiritual journey. Same with a computer, it is no longer a luxury for a child, but a necessity for many students.

the cardinal virtue of prudence must always be applied in giving and charity as well. While back I read story of a doctor serving the poor in through one of Mother Teresa’s missions, and pondering the best way to get help to him for specific needs described in the story–xray light box for instance. Made a couple of calls to find the source I considered has seen the same story and is working on plans to discover and supply all his medical equipment needs, and will work with their own diocese and Mother’s order to handle details. I can still send a check, but their aid will be more substantial and go further.

 

[Christy_Beth]

The is only one time I have an issue with this. There have been a couple of times I’ve had to ask for any kind of help. Only to be given the attitude, “It’s more blessed to give than receive.” How does that help fill a need?

 

[Ruthie]

There have been a couple of times I’ve had to ask for any kind of help. Only to be given the attitude, “It’s more blessed to give than receive.” How does that help fill a need?

I don’t know. What was the need? Was it something to keep body and soul together, or something that is widely seen as a luxury - or something in between?

Between those two points is a wide gray area. I need my handicapped tag, for instance - but you wouldn’t know it by looking at me. Occasionally, someone “confronts” me about using it illicitly; I have no problem explaining why I need it.

Sometimes a genuine need can seem “over the top,” and sometimes we mistake a “want” for a “need.” It could be that the people who answered that way to you were assuming you were in the second group.

We all (very much including me!!!) need to look at our needs, and where they overlap into wants. (You should see all the stuff in my garage!)

God bless you,

Ruthie