"Excessive Expenses & Waste"

[Pray4Life]

I have what is probably a very silly question. But I can’t make heads or tails of it on my own, and I have trouble using my own common sense, so please lend me yours

I read in Fr. Altier’s examination of conscience something about excessive expenses and waste being grave matter. Then later on, I saw where this came from (or at least what it probably refers to, I’m not a mind reader) in the Catechism (bolding is mine, this is the second part of 2409):

The following are also morally illicit: speculation in which one contrives to manipulate the price of goods artificially in order to gain an advantage to the detriment of others; corruption in which one influences the judgment of those who must make decisions according to law; appropriation and use for private purposes of the common goods of an enterprise; work poorly done; tax evasion; forgery of checks and invoices; excessive expenses and waste. Willfully damaging private or public property is contrary to the moral law and requires reparation.

Can anyone help me figure out what this means? Is it referring to businesses, or individuals, or both? What exactly IS an excessive expense, or more importantly to me, excessive waste?

We use paper plates. With seven people in the house, it is more convenient, but is it a grave sin? I will be moving my stuff out of a different house soon enough, and I have a lot of little things that can’t be donated and I know I won’t use, like partially used bath products for example. Usually I’d just pitch them and think nothing of it, but now I’m worried I’ll be committing some mortal sin if I don’t keep around a ton of bottles to use everything up. It seems silly to me but how do I argue with the Catechism?

Thanks for any insight.

 

[Nickkname]

Excessive expenses and waste would refer to things such as gluttony, wealth for wealth’s sake, giving your dog a big house instead of using the money on the poor and needy, throwing away perfectly good food which you bought/which you have instead of donating it to a charity (or giving it to someone else), and using money only on yourself.

But not only corporal things, but also spiritual things, such as not going to Mass on Sunday, not praying when you had the time, only reading the Bible right before you fall asleep (a waste, since you’ll forget everything by morning), engaging in pranks or other stupid things alone or with friends when instead you could be doing something more constructive, idelness, and being a sloth.

Basically, have you ever been immoderate in your spending or doings? That’s what the examination of consicence means.

 

[Ruthie]

NickName gave you good advice.

Here’s a little more: call your local homeless shelter and see if they will accept partially used shampoos, lotions, etc. If they do, great. If not, toss them with a good conscience.

God bless you,

Ruthie

 

[NTOT]

When we were kids, we were told that not finishing the food on your plate was a sin. I would think that would be an example of waste. Is it mortal sin? I am not sure.

 

[StCsDavid]

Money is a gift from God. So if He blesses you with an abundance, then a balance must be achieved as to how much of it you lavish upon self versus give to the poor or help the less fortunate.

Here is a picture of what I would consider an excessive waste. This is one man’s toy.

 

[Pray4Life]

Here is a picture of what I would consider an excessive waste. This is one man’s toy.

Uh, that sort of puts my shampoo in perspective, I have to say. Though are we supposed to judge what’s excessive proportionate to income? Maybe that “toy” only cost 2% of his intake and he tithes ten percent of that. Is even 2% too much, in that case, because of how absurdly large that 2% would have to be? Or would it not count as “excessive” for him because it’s a mere sliver of what he takes in?

 

[brigid12]

only reading the Bible right before you fall asleep (a waste, since you’ll forget everything by morning),

Actually, it’s not a waste, for me at least as 1) reading the Bible right before sleep makes a huge difference to my quality of sleep and, 2) I learn (even study extra this way for tests with good results) while I’m sleeping - or maybe the knowledge seeps into my brain. Of course, I also read the Bible in the morning on waking (in a lectio divina way).