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Angel7
Guest
Can showing off be a sin?
Like showing people what you can do. Sports, or Clothes. Anything.
Like showing people what you can do. Sports, or Clothes. Anything.
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dailey
Guest
Yes, bragging is a sin.
Such a fine line though. I can’t wait to hear the answers…
Such a fine line though. I can’t wait to hear the answers…
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Edward_H
Guest
I think it’s a form of vanity…maybe mixed in with a dose of pride.
Definitely not heroic virtue.
From Saint Josemaria Escriva
Evidences of a Lack of Humility
Definitely not heroic virtue.
From Saint Josemaria Escriva
Evidences of a Lack of Humility
- To think that what one says or does is better than what others say or do
- To always want to get your own way
- To argue with stubbornness and bad manners whether you are right or wrong
- To give your opinion when it has not been requested or when charity does not demand it
- To look down on another’s point of view
- Not to look on your gifts and abilities as lent
- Not to recognize that you are unworthy of all honors and esteem, not even of the earth you walk on and things you possess
- To use yourself as an example in conversations
- To speak badly of yourself so that others will think well of you or contradict you
- To excuse yourself when you are corrected
- To hide humiliating faults from your spiritual director, so that he will not change the impression he has of you
- To take pleasure in praise and compliments
- To be saddened because others are held in higher esteem
- To refuse to perform inferior tasks
- To seek to stand out
- To refer in conversation to your honesty, genius, dexterity, or professional prestige
- To be ashamed because you lack certain goods
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RazzsMom
Guest
I don’t really believe there can be one blanket answer to this question. That is because there has to be a definition of what you mean by “showing off”.
If you mean you are throwing it in another’s face the fact that you have items he does not have or that you are a better football player than he is, etc…sure. That, in my opinion, is sinful.
But if you are simply playing that football game the best you can play, or wearing nice clothing, you are not committing a sin! Look at it this way: What if Einstein had never shown his capability for mathematics? Was he “showing off”? Or was he sharing his abilities?
What if Handel had never written a note of music? Was he “showing off” or “sinning” by writing beautiful music? Or was he sharing the gifts that GOD had given to him?
The Bible says we do not hide our light under a basket. That tells me that if I have a talent of some kind - singing, playing an instrument, playing football, getting all “A’s” in school, whatever - that is simply sharing what GOD has given me and doing what He wants and expects me to do with it!
Now in the case of - oh, let’s say a nice car - you “show off” by flaunting it in front of everyone and constantly talking about the car and all it’s accessories and turning up your nose at what awful cars your friends drive becasue they are not as nice as your car…THAT, IMO, is sinful. The ability to own and drive such a beautiful car is not sinful (as long as you have the money to afford it!), but the act of flaunting it is at least not charitable and is probably a sin. (The sin of pride.)
It could also be sinful if, by purchasing a fancy car or fancy clothing, you are depriving yourself or your family of food or home or elsewhere not living up to your responsibilities (such as to be charitible) or incurring debt for yourself or others.
It is not a sin to be the best person you can be. It is not a sin to own nice things. It *is *sinful to degrade others for not having the advantages you have.
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mommamaree
Guest
If you are grateful for the blessings you have received and you want to share them with others, especially in situations where you can benefit others and give God the glory, then that is a wonderful thing. Think about what would have happened if Susan Boyle wasn’t willing to demonstrate her amazing vocal ability on British national TV, which went viral on the web. No one would have been blessed by her voice. My priest just loves Susan Boyle’s voice and testimony. The world would be a dimmer place if we didn’t ‘show off’ the beautiful talents and abilities and charismas that God gives us. The only important consideration is making sure that our attitude is holy and that our gifts are used for the good and never for evil.
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MindOverMatter2
Guest
It depends. Expressing the best of ones nature (The greatest goods) is not showing off. It is a command by God that we express the greatest potentialities intrinsic to our being; because to cause wonder and express glory is to express the glory of God, because God is ultimately the root cause of all talent wonder and glory. Thus to wear your best cloths and to express your talents is not necessarily showing off. However if you make theses things out to be an expression of ones own glory and power over other human beings as if to say that your better then they are, then this is evil. If a person says that God loves me more than other people because of some talent, then this is wrong. If a person says look how good I am, this person is not good. Or if a person says look at me and worship me for my things because I am glorious, then this is evil. That is showing off. This is the boast of those who want to be worshipped. This is what popular society through the medium of the media show to us. Look how great and wonderful I am, worship me. To show off, by definition, is to ask somebody to worship you instead of God. The glorious things in us are suppose to inspire us to worship God, not people. showing off is a form of idolatry.
Admittedly, there is a thin line between showing the glory of God, and putting ones self in the place of God.
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Edward_H
Guest
Our focus needs to be to please God and give Him all glory, and to serve Him by loving others.
Drawing attention to oneself deliberately is to risk blurring one’s rectitude of intention.
Drawing attention to oneself deliberately is to risk blurring one’s rectitude of intention.
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dailey
Guest
See, this is what I have trouble dealing with. I am a cake artist…and people always tell me what good work I do. I feel so grateful that God gave me this lovely talent but at the same I’m not sure what to do with it. If I promote my business, then I’m just “showing off”.
If I don’t promote my business, then I don’t get clients, lol!Very thin line indeed…
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MindOverMatter2
Guest
Promote your business. There nothing wrong with making a living out of your artistic talent. Don’t let people deter you with their scrupulous ideologies. It is not showing off.See, this is what I have trouble dealing with. I am a cake artist…and people always tell me what good work I do. I feel so grateful that God gave me this lovely talent but at the same I’m not sure what to do with it. If I promote my business, then I’m just “showing off”.
Very thin line indeed…
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Edward_H
Guest
Dailey, this is a great example and case. Turn your work into a prayer…each cake…each negotiaton…each well done delivery…all done “with God”. And offer quietly your excellent, perfectly done work to God, as an offering for an endless set of intentions/reasons.See, this is what I have trouble dealing with. I am a cake artist…and people always tell me what good work I do. I feel so grateful that God gave me this lovely talent but at the same I’m not sure what to do with it. If I promote my business, then I’m just “showing off”.
Very thin line indeed…
Your “prestige” will attract new clients…and over time you will become known as a hard working, honest, fair-minded, business person who can be trusted in all manner and who delivers exquisite work. Do it all cheerfully, for the love of God. If your company and reputation grows in size/stature…no worries. It will just attract more people, and open up new opportunities for people to get to know you and the peace and joy that you’re carrying on inside your soul, because you’re doing it all for Him.
Make a morning offering…renew it (in 10 seconds) at noon…all you work then is done well for God, for the Love of Him. That peace and joy that are in you…will spill out…and may open up conversations with people. “How can you work so hard and be so cheerful”…and in your own quiet way you may enter into deeper more substantial conversations about how your work is really a vocation, how you love God THROUGH your work, etc. All done quietly, of course. And at the end of the day, you “hand God” your work well done as an offering.
Does that make sense?
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mommamaree
Guest
VERY nicely put, Edward.
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Brooklyn
Guest
I am reading “Imitation of Mary” at the moment, and just read a chapter entitled: “The Humble Soul tries to Conceal From Men Its True Value In God’s Eyes.” This chapter mentions the fact that Mary’s greatest virtue was her humility, and it says: “Men must learn to hide from the eyes of other men their own true value in God’s eyes and the gifts they have received from His generous hands. A virtue that is hidden is always safe; it leaves it entirely up to God to manifest it as He will. When a person shows his treasure for all to see, he risks losing it. Even the brightest colors are somewhat dulled by intense light.”
It goes on to say: “Only one human individual, chosen out of all the others, can and should be told of the spiritual riches you have received, so that he may instruct you and make the riches bear fruit. Here on earth he represents God in guiding you along the path of salvation and perfection.”
Now if you’re talking about flaunting any physical wealth or attributes you may have, then I say you have a real problem with knowing what is truly important in this life. Anything physical can be taken away from us in an instant, including our lives. And if the physical is where your treasure is, then you have no treasure in heaven, and that is a major problem.
It goes on to say: “Only one human individual, chosen out of all the others, can and should be told of the spiritual riches you have received, so that he may instruct you and make the riches bear fruit. Here on earth he represents God in guiding you along the path of salvation and perfection.”
Now if you’re talking about flaunting any physical wealth or attributes you may have, then I say you have a real problem with knowing what is truly important in this life. Anything physical can be taken away from us in an instant, including our lives. And if the physical is where your treasure is, then you have no treasure in heaven, and that is a major problem.
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Tonaw
Guest
Awesome! Saint Josemaria Escriva rocks! I’ve read his book “The Way” front to back. Tons of helpful stuff to flip through.
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Edward_H
Guest
Great book…most of the points (I think it says this in the forward) are "cut short, to be “rounded off with your behavior”Awesome! Saint Josemaria Escriva rocks! I’ve read his book “The Way” front to back. Tons of helpful stuff to flip through.
Brooklyn,
Imitation of Mary - Thanks for reminding me…that’s on my list. I think my wife has a copy that I need to go “steal” from her.
Mommamaree,
fwiw, None of this is my own thinking…it comes from frequent reading of St Josemaria and from the “In Conversation with God” series. Great resources for all of us living in the world.
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DexUK
Guest
It depends how you conceptualise ‘showing off’. It could be argued that being very successful at something is ‘showing off’ because you’re conspicuous compared to the majority of less capable people.
I would say that ‘showing off’ in a sinful sense is only so if you are being overt about something in a prideful way and doing so in order to garner attention and deliberately show people what you’ve got that they haven’t in order to, essentially, ‘rub their noses in it’.
Just being good at something or making an extra effort to be smartly turned out or carrying out (moral!) actions that draw attention to yourself or your skills but done for the pleasure of others are not occasions of sin.
I would say that ‘showing off’ in a sinful sense is only so if you are being overt about something in a prideful way and doing so in order to garner attention and deliberately show people what you’ve got that they haven’t in order to, essentially, ‘rub their noses in it’.
Just being good at something or making an extra effort to be smartly turned out or carrying out (moral!) actions that draw attention to yourself or your skills but done for the pleasure of others are not occasions of sin.
B
Brooklyn
Guest
In case you’re interested, you can download “Imitation of Mary” for free in PDF form:
4shared.com/account/file/71267530/8ff17de2/IMITATION_OF_MARY.html
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Edward_H
Guest
Brooklyn,
THANKS. …this is good.
“Many a Christian will be surprised on the
day of judgment to see himself heavily in debt
to God’s justice because he did not make use
of the means given him for becoming a great
saint!”
ouch…what a strong point.
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PatriceA
Guest
Well in your situation, look at it this way…I’m the customer, I want to get the best cake for my money and I want someone that takes pride in their work and enjoys it. I need for you to tell me what you can do, show me what you can do or else I will chose the person that can “brag” about their work.See, this is what I have trouble dealing with. I am a cake artist…and people always tell me what good work I do. I feel so grateful that God gave me this lovely talent but at the same I’m not sure what to do with it. If I promote my business, then I’m just “showing off”.
Very thin line indeed…
But in the OP’s post, I think it depends upon WHY you want to show off. If you are showing off to make the other person feel inferior by comparing what you have to what they have, that is sinful. If you know the other person enjoys your particular sport or talent, I don’t see how that would be sinful. It depends upon the motive behind the showcase, not necessarily the actual showing off.
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dailey
Guest
Thanks for the replies everyone regarding my being a cake artist.
@Edward…yes, it does make sense, however, I still struggle with this one that you posted.
“12. To take pleasure in praise and compliments”
How can I not take pleasure in being praised for my work? I admit that when I complete a project, I look forward to hearing what others will think about it. I always feel a sense of guilt when I post a picture on my website or cake forum…
@Edward…yes, it does make sense, however, I still struggle with this one that you posted.
“12. To take pleasure in praise and compliments”
How can I not take pleasure in being praised for my work? I admit that when I complete a project, I look forward to hearing what others will think about it. I always feel a sense of guilt when I post a picture on my website or cake forum…
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Edward_H
Guest
Oh, Dailey…we all struggle with that one. Just be willing to quickly turn that compliment over to God, with God.Thanks for the replies everyone regarding my being a cake artist.
@Edward…yes, it does make sense, however, I still struggle with this one that you posted.
“12. To take pleasure in praise and compliments”
How can I not take pleasure in being praised for my work? I admit that when I complete a project, I look forward to hearing what others will think about it. I always feel a sense of guilt when I post a picture on my website or cake forum…
No need to feel guilt when you post of picture of what God did with your hands and your loving effort. Say, God, we did pretty well on this one, turn this small work into a thing of beauty for others.
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