Is 'doing nothing' a sin?

[Flopfoot]

Let’s say a person has no dependants or duties and no-one ever asks them to do something. All they do is eat, sleep and exercise enough to stay alive, go to mass once a week, and go to reconciliation once a year. (Assume that food is donated to them or something - for some reason they can get food without working). The rest of the time they just sit on a chair, or whatever. Is this a sinful life? I have heard people talking about ‘sins of omission’ (sins of not doing something?) but I’m not sure what they are. Is it only about making sure you feed your family and perform your duties? Can anyone give me any references? For the person in the example above, what more does he have to do to not be sinning (if he is sinning)?

 

[Didi]

We are called to do works of mercy, whether they are spiritual (praying for others, fasting, etc.) or corporal (feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, etc.).

Jesus tells us in Matthew 25: 31-46 that “as you do to the least of my brethren, you did it to me.”

When we have an opportunity to help someone, we should.

When we are able to donate finanically to worthy causes, we should.

When we pray, we should pray for others and not just ourselves.

Instead of just going to Mass, we should actively participate.

In the Mass we pray “…I have sinned through my own fault, in what I have done and what I have failed to do.”

While we can’t be overly scrupulous about it, we need to share what we have with others; our time, our talents, and our treasures.

 

[Nevarlander]

That situation you define is sloth (one of the capital sins) to the max. I’m not much good with the references and all, but assuming they actually do have the Faith, and they have nothing to hold them back from going out (they’re not cripplingly depressed, or of limited mobility), why are they not going and doing good works, since they have no responsibilities?

 

[Eireann]

Flopfoot:

Let’s say a person has no dependants or duties and no-one ever asks them to do something. All they do is eat, sleep and exercise enough to stay alive, go to mass once a week, and go to reconciliation once a year.

divinemercysunday.com/novena.htm

**Ninth Day
“Today bring to Me The Souls Who Have Become Lukewarm and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: ‘Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.’ For them the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy.”

Most Compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love let these tepid souls, who, like
corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love; and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen**

 

[mlchance]

Flopfoot:

Let’s say a person has no dependants or duties and no-one ever asks them to do something.

No such person has ever or will ever exist.

– Mark L. Chance.

 

[wcknight]

He would be like the servant who puts the master’s coins into the ground. He would be useless, and draw no interest from the gifts and talents that God gave him.

 

[awalt]

We the Church are the Body of Christ. Remember the parable (a recent Sunday Gospel I think) about the three slaves given talons of silver by their master? Remember how the one just buried the silver and gave it back, and he was cast out into the darkness, where there was great gnashing of teeth? This clearly is a sign that we are to use our gifts to glorify God and Jesus Christ - if we don’t, we will not be with God in heaven.

In the homily for this Mass, our pastor said “Doing all the stuff like obeying the commandments, sins of commission, are just the starting point - it’s what you do proactively that needs to be our focus.”

Last point - you say this often in Mass “I confess to almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault. In my thoughts, in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do…”

 

[puzzleannie]

2 Thess 3:10

Anyone who would not work should not eat (reading for Morning Prayer in OT, Monday, Week I)

 

[Flopfoot]

So then what are the things we must do? We can’t do everything at once!

Is it a sin if we don’t spend every waking moment doing some good work? What about if we spend 90% of our waking moments doing good works? Is that a sin?

What counts as a talent we must use? If someone is brilliant at playing the organ does that mean they have to volunteer their services at church and/or write Christian music? What about someone who’s okay at the organ? What about someone who’s had 1 or 2 days of lessons? Where do you draw the line?

I’d like to know more specifics please - I mean, there is no such thing as half a sin. If it’s sin then it’s sin. Surely there must be some rule, so that I know how to avoid this sin.

 

[volzcpa]

Flopfoot:

So then what are the things we must do? We can’t do everything at once!

Is it a sin if we don’t spend every waking moment doing some good work? What about if we spend 90% of our waking moments doing good works? Is that a sin?

What counts as a talent we must use? If someone is brilliant at playing the organ does that mean they have to volunteer their services at church and/or write Christian music? What about someone who’s okay at the organ? What about someone who’s had 1 or 2 days of lessons? Where do you draw the line?

I’d like to know more specifics please - I mean, there is no such thing as half a sin. If it’s sin then it’s sin. Surely there must be some rule, so that I know how to avoid this sin.

We must keep the two great commandments

Mk 12:28-31
One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ (Deut 6:4-5) The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Lev 19:18) There is no other commandment greater than these.”

From these commandment flows the following–

1. We must pray and give alms.

Sirach 7:10
Be not impatient in prayers, and neglect not the giving of alms.

Tobit 4:10
Almsgiving frees one from death, and keeps one from going into the dark abode.

1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.

1. We must do corporal works of mercy.

*Matt 25:41-45
Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’
Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’
He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ *

These and many other things we must do to show our faith and love for God. The only percentage is that we give ourselves over to God 100%. It’s all in the CCC. If you don’t have one you can read it online.

 

[Viki59]

Flopfoot:

So then what are the things we must do? We can’t do everything at once!

Is it a sin if we don’t spend every waking moment doing some good work? What about if we spend 90% of our waking moments doing good works? Is that a sin?

What counts as a talent we must use? If someone is brilliant at playing the organ does that mean they have to volunteer their services at church and/or write Christian music? What about someone who’s okay at the organ? What about someone who’s had 1 or 2 days of lessons? Where do you draw the line?

I’d like to know more specifics please - I mean, there is no such thing as half a sin. If it’s sin then it’s sin. Surely there must be some rule, so that I know how to avoid this sin.

There is not a rule, unless you are in a religious order.
We are supposed to try to do the will of God. We also need to take time for exercise, relaxation, and friendship. There is pleny of work to be done, nobody should be bored!
You should do what you are good at and enjoy doing, to benefit the church and society. If you’re uncertain, you could discuss it with your priest. Aim at some creativity and joy in life.

 

[Flopfoot]

If there is no rule (about what we must do), then by doing nothing, we’re not breaking any rules… so doesn’t than mean that it’s not a sin then, and more of a recommendation that we do something?

 

[Magicsilence]

Flopfoot:

If there is no rule (about what we must do), then by doing nothing, we’re not breaking any rules… so doesn’t than mean that it’s not a sin then, and more of a recommendation that we do something?

As always we can look to the saints for guidance.

Read up on a few saints, and God will show you what needs to be done.

We must give 100%.

Although, I myself am confused as to what would be considered a sin. ( i.e, watching football instead of helping out at a shelter).

Perhaps we should be less concerned with what is a sin and avoiding it, and more concerned with giving it 100%.

In Christ.

Andre.