Is having nice things a sin?

[Art321]

Suppose a poor family, who are hardworking and follow the commandments of God by heart win the lottery. Would it be a sin if they keep the money and spend it to buy nice things such as a really nice car that few people can afford? Or if they buy an amazing house?

Is it a sin to want nice things? Even if they are good people in the end?

I ask this because of what I found in the bible such as …

Matthew19:24

And again I say to you: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

 

[shondrea]

It is not a sin to have and enjoy nice things. It becomes a sin when you become materialistic and crave the possession of more and more things. The verse about the rich entering heaven is peaking of how a rich man find comfort in his treasures, and has little need to look for comfort in God.

Temperance, everything in moderation. Enjoy a pretty new blouse, but don’t use your grocery money to do it.

 

[Art321]

It is not a sin to have and enjoy nice things. It becomes a sin when you become materialistic and crave the possession of more and more things. The verse about the rich entering heaven is peaking of how a rich man find comfort in his treasures, and has little need to look for comfort in God.

Temperance, everything in moderation. Enjoy a pretty new blouse, but don’t use your grocery money to do it.

So when someone just wants something nice, then it becomes a sin?

 

[shondrea]

Not quite. Wanting things in EXCESS becomes a sin. If you’d rather go shopping than spend time with your family, if you value THINGS more than people, if you can’t BARE to be seen in the same dress twice and thus must always have a new one, if you go into debt trying to afford things, then it’s a sin. But saving up for that fancy iPod, putting in some extra hours at work for that perfect prom dress, chipping in for a great family vacation- that’s not sinful

You can donate your time and money and skills to help those less fortunate, and still allow yourself a new pair of jeans

 

[Art321]

Not quite. Wanting things in EXCESS becomes a sin. If you’d rather go shopping than spend time with your family, if you value THINGS more than people, if you can’t BARE to be seen in the same dress twice and thus must always have a new one, if you go into debt trying to afford things, then it’s a sin. But saving up for that fancy iPod, putting in some extra hours at work for that perfect prom dress, chipping in for a great family vacation- that’s not sinful

You can donate your time and money and skills to help those less fortunate, and still allow yourself a new pair of jeans

Thank you! This really helped!

 

[shondrea]

I’m glad! I’m sure there are better ways to explain it, but from similar questions I’ve seen asked, that was the answer I got.

 

[EEgirl]

I heard a priest discuss that passage in a homily once. He said it actually referred to the eye of THE needle, which was the way into the city when the gates were closed. It was a tall and narrow opening that was easy to walk through, but difficult for a fully loaded camel. I think the key is being able to let go of your possessions, not necessarily not having any.

 

[Art321]

I heard a priest discuss that passage in a homily once. He said it actually referred to the eye of THE needle, which was the way into the city when the gates were closed. It was a tall and narrow opening that was easy to walk through, but difficult for a fully loaded camel. I think the key is being able to let go of your possessions, not necessarily not having any.

Well, I do want a nice car. But in the end, if I was the richest man in the world and Chirst asked me to let go of everything I owned for Him, I would do it in a heartbeat!

 

[Whitacre_Girl]

Well, I do want a nice car. But in the end, if I was the richest man in the world and Chirst asked me to let go of everything I owned for Him, I would do it in a heartbeat!

I think that is the whole point. Remember, you can’t take it with you!!

Reminds me of a joke I heard once about a man who lived a virtuous life, loved God, and passed away in a state of grace. However, he had a chunk of gold about the size of a softball in his possession that he prized above most things. When he stood before God he asked if he could bring in one thing, because it meant so much to him. After much begging and pleading God allowed it, but demanded to see what it was that was causing him so much grief to leave behind.

He showed God his chunk of gold and God erupted into laughter. The man was infuriated that the creator of the universe was laughing at his most prized possesion. “Why are you laughing! What is up with that?!?!”

God just said (whiping a tear from his eye) “Son, come on in, I just don’t understand why it was so important to you to bring asphalt!”

Revelation 21:18

 

[Art321]

Yes, I understand what you are saying and I will always keep this in mind. As long as I live.

I think that is the whole point. Remember, you can’t take it with you!!

Reminds me of a joke I heard once about a man who lived a virtuous life, loved God, and passed away in a state of grace. However, he had a chunk of gold about the size of a softball in his possession that he prized above most things. When he stood before God he asked if he could bring in one thing, because it meant so much to him. After much begging and pleading God allowed it, but demanded to see what it was that was causing him so much grief to leave behind.

He showed God his chunk of gold and God erupted into laughter. The man was infuriated that the creator of the universe was laughing at his most prized possesion. “Why are you laughing! What is up with that?!?!”

God just said (whiping a tear from his eye) “Son, come on in, I just don’t understand why it was so important to you to bring asphalt!”

Revelation 21:18

 

[Adonia]

No, it is not a sin to have nice things, but I would say it would be a sin if you had a lot of money and your only thought in life was getting more money. God wants us to use our what we have wisely. wisely

 

[dusza]

Wanting or having nice things isn’t a sin in itself, but wanting anything that isn’t God Himself is an imperfection that will keep the soul from entering heaven upon death. Wannabe saints must strip themselves of all attachments to worldly things (dark night of the senses) and be purified even of spiritual attachments and misconceptions (dark night of the soul). For the rest of us faithful there’s purgatory.

 

[JRKH]

Suppose a poor family, who are hardworking and follow the commandments of God by heart win the lottery. Would it be a sin if they keep the money and spend it to buy nice things such as a really nice car that few people can afford? Or if they buy an amazing house?

Is it a sin to want nice things? Even if they are good people in the end?

I ask this because of what I found in the bible such as …

Matthew19:24

And again I say to you: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Place yourself in the position of head of the poor family you describe above. If you truly follow the “commandments of God” by heart then , when they win the Lottery, what would you, as head of the family, do first?
What would you do second?
What would you consider to be the best use for the money?

Answers to these and logical followup questions would go a long way towards answering whether your heart (and treasure) lies here on Earth or in Heaven.

Peace
James

 

[Will_B]

Reminds me of Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” …

He had lots of money in be beginning of the story… What he did with it was sinful.

After being visited by the three spirits and his conversion, he still had lots of wealth, but used for the good of mankind.

I like the words Scrooge said to his former partner Jacob Marley before the three spirits gave him a night he would never forget. … “You were such a good business man…”, he said to Marley… To which Marley replayed “Business, Business !!” Mankind was my business… Knowing he lacked in helping his fellow man, rather he keep his money just for the sake of gaining more wealth.

 

[OraLabora]

I hope not, I own some nice things.

 

[Art321]

Good question! Honestly, I would try and see if I could help anyone with it. I would most likely donate some of the money to Catholic Charities and to other people. I would love to find a way to help the poor but not just the poor but the poorest of the poor. Kind of what Mother Teresa did. Then I would try to see if I could use that money for myself and my family. I have to admit that I have failed in helping people sometimes.

Place yourself in the position of head of the poor family you describe above. If you truly follow the “commandments of God” by heart then , when they win the Lottery, what would you, as head of the family, do first?
What would you do second?
What would you consider to be the best use for the money?

Answers to these and logical followup questions would go a long way towards answering whether your heart (and treasure) lies here on Earth or in Heaven.

Peace
James

 

[JRKH]

I hope not, I own some nice things.

Owning “nice things” can be one of the most economical choices.
Good quality items tend to last longer. Taking good care of the things we have, even if they aren’t the highest quality, also keeps things “nice” longer.
It all boils down to good stewardship.

Peace
James

 

[JRKH]

Good question! Honestly, I would try and see if I could help anyone with it. I would most likely donate some of the money to Catholic Charities and to other people. I would love to find a way to help the poor but not just the poor but the poorest of the poor. Kind of what Mother Teresa did. Then I would try to see if I could use that money for myself and my family. I have to admit that I have failed in helping people sometimes.

These are reasonable answers from one who “obeys God’s commands by heart”. The first questions would naturally be - What is the best use for these monies?
The answer will naturally depend on the individual family’s overall situation - number of children, age, etc.

Generally speaking - large houses and fancy cars may not demonstrate the best stewardship of the money in my opinion.

Peace
James

 

[Art321]

These are reasonable answers from one who “obeys God’s commands by heart”. The first questions would naturally be - What is the best use for these monies?
The answer will naturally depend on the individual family’s overall situation - number of children, age, etc.

Generally speaking - large houses and fancy cars may not demonstrate the best stewardship of the money in my opinion.

Peace
James

Ok. I see what you mean.

 

[mary_bobo]

These are reasonable answers from one who “obeys God’s commands by heart”. The first questions would naturally be - What is the best use for these monies?
The answer will naturally depend on the individual family’s overall situation - number of children, age, etc.

Generally speaking - large houses and fancy cars may not demonstrate the best stewardship of the money in my opinion.

Peace
James

But it also does not tell you the charity level of the more affluent people of which you speak. Best not to judge.