Is it actually sinful not to help the needy?

[Robert_Sock]

Luke 16:19-31
The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

If it is not an actually sinful, how did the rich man end up in what seems to be hell?

 

[Oneofthewomen]

Luke 16:19-31
The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

If it is not an actually sinful, how did the rich man end up in what seems to be hell?

It was the rich man’s indifference that sent him to hell. Not only did he not help, he never helped. He was oblivious to the world around him. And that is very sinful…
Jesus told us as much with the greatest commandment- love God with all your heart, mind, & soul, and love your neighbour as yourself.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

I am wondering Robert Sock, why have you not come back?

Is there a particular reason for this question?

 

[Robert_Sock]

I am wondering Robert Sock, why have you not come back?

Is there a particular reason for this question?

Sorry, but aren’t a lot of us indifferent to the needy? True, many of use are not rich, but Christ seems to make it clear that we ought to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. In fact, Christ says that when we ignore the poor we ignore Him and that He will ignore us on judgment day. This seems to indicate that we do indeed sin against Him when we fail to help the poor, but this seems to fails to get much attention from the Church.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

Sorry, but aren’t a lot of us indifferent to the needy? True, many of use are not rich, but Christ seems to make it clear that we ought to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. In fact, Christ says that when we ignore the poor we ignore Him and that He will ignore us on judgment day. This seems to indicate that we do indeed sin against Him when we fail to help the poor, but this seems to fails to get much attention from the Church.

I am not sure what you mean that it does not seem to get attention from the Church. Every parish I have ever been involved with has done what it could, with its resources, to help alleviate poverty in our community.

The Holy Father reminds us often of our responsibility to the poor & needy in our midst.
People do what they can. I don’t think God expects any more from us, do you?

 

[Robert_Sock]

I am not sure what you mean that it does not seem to get attention from the Church. Every parish I have ever been involved with has done what it could, with its resources, to help alleviate poverty in our community.

The Holy Father reminds us often of our responsibility to the poor & needy in our midst.
People do what they can. I don’t think God expects any more from us, do you?

Yes, the Catholic Church does an excellent job reaching out to the poor, but as individuals do we care for the poor? Maybe my memory is bad, but I never remember any homily on our personal obligation to help alleviate poverty. In the church I frequent there is a special collection for Catholic Relief Services but it is done just once a year! At another church I visit, there is always a second collection, but that money is to help pay for a complete remodeling of the church building which everybody seems rather proud of. When I asked how I could donate to help the homeless, I was told that they had no programs in place and that I should seek the homeless out myself.

We’re going way off track. The key question is whether we sin when we personally do not help the poor? I say that it is; and that we’re all guilty when we fail to help to the best of our ability. Sunday donations to our church do not count here.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

Yes, the Catholic Church does an excellent job reaching out to the poor, but as individuals do we care for the poor? Maybe my memory is bad, but I never remember any homily on our personal obligation to help alleviate poverty. In the church I frequent there is a special collection for Catholic Relief Services but it is done just once a year! At another church I visit, there is always a second collection, but that money is to help pay for a complete remodeling of the church building which everybody seems rather proud of. When I asked how I could donate to help the homeless, I was told that they had no programs in place and that I should seek the homeless out myself.

We’re going way off track. The key question is whether we sin when we personally do not help the poor? I say that it is; and that we’re all guilty when we fail to help to the best of our ability. Sunday donations to our church do not count here.

You are talking about 2 parishses out of how many?

If they are not doing what you think they should, why not try to get something started?

Parishes are made up of individuals who are all very willing to help, but one must remember that poverty is not just material. Think of all the catechists in your parish who help to prevent spiritual poverty. Think of all the parish visitors who visit the sick, lonely & home-bound, they too are often in spiritual poverty.

We cannot say that if we are not personally feeding every homeless person, or addressing every social ill that causes poverty, that we are doing nothing.
Doing small things with great love is just as important.

 

[Robert_Sock]

You are talking about 2 parishses out of how many?

If they are not doing what you think they should, why not try to get something started?

Parishes are made up of individuals who are all very willing to help, but one must remember that poverty is not just material. Think of all the catechists in your parish who help to prevent spiritual poverty. Think of all the parish visitors who visit the sick, lonely & home-bound, they too are often in spiritual poverty.

We cannot say that if we are not personally feeding every homeless person, or addressing every social ill that causes poverty, that we are doing nothing.
Doing small things with great love is just as important.

So, is it a sin when we do not help those in financial poverty or spiritual poverty? As to how much we should be helping, I guess that we will have to wait until judgment day.

 

[Robert_Sock]

Besides my past posts on extreme poverty, how many other posts have you seen posted on CAF on poverty? When it comes to posts on refugees, how often do you hear posters say that it’s our religious obligation to help them?

 

[RosyAnne]

People can help the poor in many ways, donating to charities is only one way. Just because the monetary response to a particular charity is poor, doesn’t mean parishioners are hard hearted and uncharitable.

You mentioned Catholic Relief Services. That is touchy for some people. I wouldn’t dare insinuate that donating to CRS is an obligation or an indication of being a good and faithful Catholic. Because it certainly isn’t.

In other words, I myself very rarely give money to charities. I have my own personal reasons for this. I do other things though to help the poor such as donating food and clothing to various missions and shelters. And other things too that I don’t need to mention.

Please don’t judge on monetary responses.

Also, I highly, highly recommend to everyone that is interested in social justice to watch the documentary Poverty Inc. Fighting poverty is big business, but who profits the most?

 

[Robert_Sock]

People can help the poor in many ways, donating to charities is only one way. Just because the monetary response to a particular charity is poor, doesn’t mean parishioners are hard hearted and uncharitable.

You mentioned Catholic Relief Services. That is touchy for some people. I wouldn’t dare insinuate that donating to CRS is an obligation or an indication of being a good and faithful Catholic. Because it certainly isn’t.

In other words, I myself very rarely give money to charities. I have my own personal reasons for this. I do other things though to help the poor such as donating food and clothing to various missions and shelters. And other things too that I don’t need to mention.

Please don’t judge on monetary responses.

Also, I highly, highly recommend to everyone that is interested in social justice to watch the documentary Poverty Inc. Fighting poverty is big business, but who profits the most?

I never meant to suggest that anyone has to give to a particular charity, but I’m just asking for opinions on whether or not it’s sinful not to do what one can to feed the hungry and clothe the naked as suggested by Christ in the Gospels.

The fact that so few are interested in this and other threads I started on the elimination of extreme poverty, seems to suggest that people may be apathetic on this commandment of Christ. Nobody is obligated to answer to me but will have to answer to Christ on judgment day.

I greatly pleased that Pope Francis has been so vocal on poverty. That people have to eat from garbage heaps in third-world countries has me very distressed. I myself meet the financial definition of poverty, but I live like a king compared to those in extreme poverty.

 

[Robert_Sock]

Matthew 25
34Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in: 36Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me. 37Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed thee; thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38And when did we see thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and covered thee? 39Or when did we see thee sick or in prison, and came to thee? 40And the king answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.

41Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me not to drink. 43I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you covered me not: sick and in prison, and you did not visit me. 44Then they also shall answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to thee? 45Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me. 46And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just, into life everlasting.

 

[MtnDwellar]

We’re going way off track. The key question is whether we sin when we personally do not help the poor? I say that it is; and that we’re all guilty when we fail to help to the best of our ability. Sunday donations to our church do not count here.

My answer to the question, “Is it actually sinful not to help the needy”, is an obvious “YES”. I was raised knowing that we have to help those less fortunate. Selfishness is sinful.

As I grew older I realized that everything we have belongs to God. Not helping is failure to acknowledge that God has given everything freely. God gives to us for the purpose of helping others. We are all commanded to give. Some of us are called to give everything we have.

I wouldn’t separate “personal” giving from donations to the Church or other charities. There really isn’t a difference. I prefer helping directly, because then I know where my efforts are going. Either way the intention is the same.

 

[hu324b]

Already done - removed

 

[hu324b]

Matthew 25
34Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in: 36Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me. 37Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed thee; thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38And when did we see thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and covered thee? 39Or when did we see thee sick or in prison, and came to thee? 40And the king answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.

41Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me not to drink. 43I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you covered me not: sick and in prison, and you did not visit me. 44Then they also shall answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to thee? 45Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me. 46And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just, into life everlasting.

So you already knew the answer.

 

[Robert_Sock]

So you already knew the answer.

Yes, as I stated at the beginning, I do think that it’s sinful to neglect the needy, but I never hear anybody else declaring it sinful. When Matthew 25:34-46 is read at Mass, it seems to get glossed over every time, and I personally never heard a priest declare it a sin during a homily. I usually come away feeling parishioners think of helping the needed as a nice option, but not sinful per se.

 

[Robert_Sock]

So you already knew the answer.

I would even go as far as to say I believe our apathy towards refugees from the Middle East is sinful. Pope Francis is very vocal here but in all honesty, I never heard him call it sinful.

 

[Robert_Sock]

At the very least I feel that we should learn to truly empathize with the poor and pray for them in earnest. In so doing, we not only help the poor but we cleanse and elevate our soul as well.

 

[gardenswithkids]

Yes, as I stated at the beginning, I do think that it’s sinful to neglect the needy, but** I never hear anybody else declaring it sinful. When Matthew 25:34-46 is read at Mass, it seems to get glossed over every time, and I personally never heard a priest declare it a sin during a homily**. I usually come away feeling parishioners think of helping the needed as a nice option, but not sinful per se.

Are you suggesting that*** you expect to hear a homily on sin?*** It seems generally are out of fashion to explicitly point out sins. We hear homilies with suggestions on ways to do good, homilies on mercy, homilies on love, but unless you listen very, very closely, you might not hear the word, “sin”. Even if you listen closely, you might not hear the word “sin.”

There are sins of omission and sins of commission. During the Mass, we make a confession that we have sinned through our own faults, through our thoughts and words, through “what we have done and what we have failed to do”. Failing to help the needy is a sin of omission.

 

[Robert_Sock]

Are you suggesting that*** you expect to hear a homily on sin?*** It seems generally are out of fashion to explicitly point out sins. We hear homilies with suggestions on ways to do good, homilies on mercy, homilies on love, but unless you listen very, very closely, you might not hear the word, “sin”. Even if you listen closely, you might not hear the word “sin.”

There are sins of omission and sins of commission. During the Mass, we make a confession that we have sinned through our own faults, through our thoughts and words, through “what we have done and what we have failed to do”. Failing to help the needy is a sin of omission.

Yes, and everybody needs to be made more aware of this dangerous sin.