Attachment to useless/neutral things

[yellow8yellowM]

In Introduction to the Devout Life in chapter 23, we read:

It is no sin to do such things, but it is a sin to set one’s heart on them.

St. Francis de Sales is talking about such things as going to a dance or a baseball game, or playing chess, etc.

My question is, what are the key indicators that one’s heart is set on these things? How do we know when playing chess, for example, becomes sinful because we have set our heart on it? Where is the line drawn?

 

[mikekle]

In Introduction to the Devout Life in chapter 23, we read:

St. Francis de Sales is talking about such things as going to a dance or a baseball game, or playing chess, etc.

My question is, what are the key indicators that one’s heart is set on these things? How do we know when playing chess, for example, becomes sinful because we have set our heart on it? Where is the line drawn?

I think people that are really into useless things like this, are just trying to fill a void within themselves, but quickly find it cant be filled by stuff like that, doesnt stop them from trying though! LOL Im a 39 yr old guy and have always wondered why some people I know seem to be so into sports like baseball, football, soccer, etc, when its really just useless and does not impact their life at all…?

I grew up in a house that no one was interested in any sports, nor were any of my grandparents, Ive tried watching these things, but they are quite boring and I can never get over the fact that it makes literally no difference what team wins or looses, it doesnt effect my life one bit, so, imo, its a waste of time, but I find things to do to pass time, I try to be careful and not get ‘too into’ these things though, as I know they wont fill that void.

I dont know if its sinful or not, but Id say it is becoming a problem when a person goes out of their way to either go to something (sports game, etc) or watch it on tv…I was interested in BMX when I was younger, I even raced locally, I watched it on tv as well, but I never went out of my way to make sure I was in front of a tv to watch anything specific, seems like alot of people today have the feeling they simply cannot miss a particular game or event, or somehow their lives will change LOL, Im not sure how they get to this level, but Im glad I never got to this point!!

I do recognize what your saying though.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

When I have my heart set on a particular activity I will do **anything **to do it, no matter what the cost or consequence.

Let’s say I have tickets to a concert and have been looking forward to it for months. A few days before the concert, my father dies. I need to travel to another continent to comfort my family and assist with the funeral preparations, but I refuse so I won’t miss the concert. I can’t imagine such selfishness would not be a sin.

Another scenario: There is nothing objectively wrong with having a hobby, but if the money you’re investing in your hobby prevents you from paying your bills or feeding your family, your priorities are disordered to say the least.

Perhaps this is what St. Francis de Sales was driving at. We are allowed leisure activity as long as it doesn’t come at the expense of more important things.

 

[wildfood]

In Introduction to the Devout Life in chapter 23, we read:

St. Francis de Sales is talking about such things as going to a dance or a baseball game, or playing chess, etc.

My question is, what are the key indicators that one’s heart is set on these things? How do we know when playing chess, for example, becomes sinful because we have set our heart on it? Where is the line drawn?

St. Francis is talking to those who live in the world so the definition of “excess” is different from those of the religious such as monks.

This is indeed an area in which scruples can interfere. This seems like a question that only someone familiar with an individual can determine I would think, however the author does make some specific statements:

Only one must avoid excess, either in the time given to them, or
the amount of interest they absorb; for if too much time be given up to
such things, they cease to be a recreation and become an occupation;
and so far from resting and restoring mind or body, they have precisely
the contrary effect.** After five or six hours spent over chess, one’s
mind is spent and weary, and too long a time given to tennis results in
physical exhaustion; or if people play for a high stake, they get
anxious and discomposed, and such unimportant objects are unworthy of
so much care and thought.** But, above all, beware of setting your heart
upon any of these things, for however lawful an amusement may be, it is
wrong to give one’s heart up to it. Not that I would not have you take
pleasure in what you are doing,–it were no recreation else,–but I
would not have you engrossed by it, or become eager or over fond of any
of these things.

 

[TheSurvivor]

I would add that Especially if doing certain leisure activities would be preferred to praying everyday, attending the Holy Mass on Sunday, or going to Confession (when one needs to) one would be putting to much “into it.”

 

[kittyplant]

i think this is a good topic you bring up. i feel like young catholics do this a lot with being smart alecs or “intellectuals”. learning is great of course but it seems like they just want to know things to show off or uselessly overanalyze / debate some point just to argue. it seems off track for me and takes attention away from loving Gods people. they get too into this university stuff… i like writing and i can definitely see how people make writing or any art into a false god.

 

[ready]

In Introduction to the Devout Life in chapter 23, we read:

St. Francis de Sales is talking about such things as going to a dance or a baseball game, or playing chess, etc.

My question is, what are the key indicators that one’s heart is set on these things? How do we know when playing chess, for example, becomes sinful because we have set our heart on it? Where is the line drawn?

The line is drawn when it interferes with our fulfilling our duties according to our state in life and when it becomes an idol for us, competing with our Lord for our love and our time. God bless you.