Is the accumulation of wealth a sin?

[Dee_Dee_King]

the problem with being wealthy is that because you have been given much, much will be demanded. plus the fact that we all must suffer to get to heaven. either we pay now or later. it’s better to pay now for our sins in fear and trembling and poverty than to end up like the rich man in torment.

i will say that i’m a hypocrite because while i’m not rich for american standards, i am in context to the rest of the world–i don’t even tithe. being objectively rich and saying to yourself that you’re not attached to it and you’re a good person isn’t good enough. Jesus says to be perfect, we should give all of wealth to the poor.

it is impossible to accumulate unreasonable wealth while living the beatitudes. in acts, the early christian church gave “each according to their needs”.

it is sinful if it is an unreasonable accumilation of wealth. you can’t get rich without taking that money from someone else. in effect, it isn’t really all yours.

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many.

How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.

 

[leonie]

Here’s Father Dubay talking on evangelical poverty on ewtn

ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/dload1.asp?rafile=bookmark2198.ra&source=frmselectseries.asp&seriesID=&T1=Dubay

 

[wcknight]

The thing about American comsumerism is that in reality, just about everything we buy except for food and a few items of clothing is really not all that necessary.

Our whole society is built on Madison avenue trying to convince everyone that they “need” or want just about everything imaginable. Who really needs a 50 plasma tv ??? or even a 9 inch back and white tv for that matter ??? But try to go without one and we fell like we are deprived of something essential to our well being.

Compared to the rest of the world even our poor would be considered well off. The paradox is that if most of Americans went to a minimalist mentatlity, our economy would collapse into a depression. Buying and selling makes our economy move, keeps most of us employed, and keeps us fed. Ironically it also allows us to better support the poor and homeless both here and abroad.

 

[punisherthunder]

My g/f loves wearing fur coats and jackets, but she really doesn’t live a lavish lifestyle. Anyone think that’s a sin?

 

[Sheeniac]

My g/f loves wearing fur coats and jackets, but she really doesn’t live a lavish lifestyle. Anyone think that’s a sin?

I don’t.

 

[leonie]

I think this thread is great as an impetus to examine our own lives. Certainly, we shouldn’t presume to judge anyone else’s.

Maybe it is better to consider that while having material things is not sinful–after all, material things are good, it is a higher degree of spiritual perfection to give up material things for the Kingdom.

Being poor is not a virtue, but having evangelical poverty is a virtue.

We are all called to detachment from the world.

 

[MrIrish]

Compared to the rest of the world even our poor would be considered well off.

Finally, someone said it.

Anyone who has spare money to buy monthly Internet access, owns a computer, and has the free time to post messages on CAF is “rich” compared to the vast majority of people living on this planet.

 

[MrIrish]

um i believe christ said something about it is easier 4 a camel to get through aneedle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. but how much wealth will send u there is beyond me. all i know is once i move out i will give all excess money to a great charity and pray for people like bill gates and paris hilton 4 instance who r clearly going 2 hell

Wow, you can see the mind of God to know that Bill Gates and Paris Hilton are destined for Hell?

 

[wanner47]

Finally, someone said it.

Anyone who has spare money to buy monthly Internet access, owns a computer, and has the free time to post messages on CAF is “rich” compared to the vast majority of people living on this planet.

How do you know many people aren’t posting via free access at their public library or school?

 

[MrIrish]

How do you know many people aren’t posting via free access at their public library or school?

You’re proving my point for me. How many people in the world enjoy the luxury to go down to the local posh library and use the public computer there? Anyhow, there is no such thing as “free” Internet access. Someone is paying for it. My point is that the terms “rich” and “wealth” need to be put into context.

 

[wanner47]

You’re proving my point for me. How many people in the world enjoy the luxury to go down to the local posh library and use the public computer there? Anyhow, there is no such thing as “free” Internet access. Someone is paying for it. My point is that the terms “rich” and “wealth” need to be put into context.

My local library has a few computers with public internet access, and believe me, it’s anything but posh! There’s also a local laundromat, quite run down, that regardless has a few old computers with Internet access. It’s becoming more and more common.

I do see your point, but it’s still a fallacy to assume that if someone is posting on the Internet, they must be fairly “well off” to be able to afford an Internet connection and a computer.

 

[lrs]

To much who have been given, much will be asked!

We must give- just had the Holy experience of passing out clothes in a soup kitchen about 1 week ago-men, women, children all there in that Sacred space. Sister Judy kept saying-“remember you are looking at the face of Jesus” I kept thinking back to the 12 Stations of the Cross-“when oh Lord did I see you hungry, naked, poor?” We must recognize Christ in one another. I Tried to assist a young boy of 12 years old with clothing-mostly only women’s clothes get donated. Could not find a thing for him-his clothes were tattered and torn. Thought of my own three sons, who were there, experiencing this gift of humility, knowing that I have 3 bags of clothes at home that would have fit this young man perfectly. He was patient and kind, and beautiful. I felt helpless!.

I own this gigantic inherited diamond ring-given to me out of Love. Today I removed this ring-at this point in my life I just can not wear it any longer. I work with homeless, abused women. The first thing I notice is that they notice this ring. It seems so hypocrytical on my part- me trying to tell them I understand, I “get” it. They come to the shelter with absolutely nothing usually but the clothes on their back. I don’t know how to reconcile this in my mind. It does not seem right. My new car, my huge ring!!

SO, I pray to GOD for wisdom and strength and courage- to serve him. I pray to feel worthy enough to serve this people who are sacrificing in their own loving way so that I may reach beyond myself, beyond my pettiness and selfishness, and reach out to them. A glorious opportuntiy they are giving me. Whose gift is greater, the giver or the receiver. As Kahil Gibran says- make sure that we first deserve to be an instrument of giving. We are ultimately all receivers from a very Loving God.

IT is about RE-DISTRIBUTION. We should live in balance-never letting that which we own to cloud our vision of recognizing/ remembering who we really are in Christ. Loving our neighbor as ourself.

Blessings, Lisa

 

[puzzleannie]

Is the accumulation of wealth, i.e. buying things you realy dont need, a sin?

I would have thought buying things you don’t need was dispersal of wealth, not accumulation, at least that is how it works with my credit card.

 

[Col317]

Just a couple of thoughts in addition (or repetition?) to those already charitably shared by others.

In Matthew 19:21, Jesus says “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to (the) poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me”.

I read at least 4 pages of threads, and this verse kept coming back to me as a focus of my thoughts. First, since it’s Jesus saying these words, I feel that my Savior deserves my ear. Second, since he says “if you wish to be perfect”, I ask myself whether I wish to be perfect. If I do, I keep reading. Jesus then says to me, “go, sell what you have and give to the poor”. Clearly, many of us have heard the call to serve the poor, but I have to ask myself whether I can sell what I have. Jesus doesn’t tell us to sell all I have, but should I? It’s my opinion that to sell all I have would risk my own survival and would inhibit my mission to serve the poor. I then conclude that riches are good, so much as they are used for good. Next, I ask myself, what can I sell, albeit not everything, that I can give to the poor? Or, phrased differently, what can I give (my time, talents, or treasure) that the poor may need? When I say “poor”, who do I mean? Do I mean just those who are financially poor? or also the emotionally poor (depressed, perhaps), the spiritually poor (without God’s message of hope, love), and so on?

My last thought is that if I reflect on these things, and do the best I can to serve others (a command from Jesus to “love others as yourself”), then my reward is heaven! I should be excited about this!

Thank you Jesus!

Col317

 

[lrs]

Dear Col317
Very insightful and full of wisdom, a brilliant response! As Christians, if we are to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and love our neighbors as ourselves, we often ask how do we reconcile the reality of : we have so much, while others have not. Certainly the Lord does not want us to empty ourselves so completely that we are no longer able to help those around us.
On the other hand, we are more aware than ever, through modern technology, the suffering of so many in the world. Can we sit comfortably in our warm home, our food cabinets filled, on our sofa watching human suffering on the tv and do nothing. That is hard on our hearts, on our conscience. We must ask ourselves in what are we capable of doing?. Are our prayers enough?. I yield towards most times, YES. Our prayers are powerful, place it in God’s hands. I honestly believe that if we pray for a generous heart, and we pray and be open to God’s Will for our lives, that we will be a worthy instrument of giving. Jesus will place in our paths an opportunity to love one another, to give to one another.It is most often that person in our own back yard. Must we “change” the whole world, if we consider that we must, we may be over stating our importance.
Do we do enough?? I can answer honestly, for me, myself. I do not know. I consider that Some are Saints, Some are Martyrs, Some pray with vigilance for others in the degree that I do not, many have gifts different from mine. Jesus does want us to live fully in Glory of God, but that does not always mean without sacrifice or suffering. It is in these times where the Glory of God resonates the most. The sacrifice of the Son of God and the Son of Man, laying down one’s life for a friend, it seems out of reach. We may not be called to lay down our lives, but we must lay down our “Self” daily, and help carry the cross for ourselves and others. It was designed to be that way if we are to love God and one another. We are never alone, the Lord is always with us.
I take Communion to a nursing facility, and so often the elderly “believe” that they have nothing left to give. I constantly remind them of the Love Jesus has for them, and we pray petitions for others in the facility and petitions of hope and strength for their family and friends. Shall they feel not worthy because they no longer “can give”?. It is in this season of their lives that they give through love and prayer. We are all called at different times in our lives for different things. We should never be too hard on ourselves nor should we judge others. I adhere to: the more we are given, the more responsibility we have to give. It is just that way.
God Bless,
Lisa

 

[Newbie2]

No, wealth isn’t a sin. In fact, in the Bible, it’s seen as a sign of God’s favor.

Yes, but being poor was also seen as a sign of disfavor. We don’t really see it as such today, do we?

Christian stewardship would oblige you not to throw away what you’ve been given by God.

I don’t think that was the poster’s meaning, rather asking if someone was so attached to something they could not give it up.

I wouldn’t say all, but I really can’t name any who are not.

(Regarding celebrities who are charitable) I cannot either. The ones who are truly charitable would seem to do it low-profile. Same with Athletes. I find it amusing that the media fawns over Oprah or some other sick-rich person giving a hundred thousand dollars to some charity…and the celibrity eating up the attention.

Then you get a Catholic philanthropist like Tom Monaghan (of Dominos Pizza fame) who pledges to give away all of his money before he dies (and is in the process of doing so) and he gets treated like some kook for giving it all away.

But I digress. The OP reminds me of a commercial that I heard on a local Christian radio station from a financial planner. Now I have no problem with constructive use of the money that’s been given to us by the grace of the Almighty i.e. planning and using it wisely, but this commercial was worded heavily with Christian values yet stressed the accumulation of “wealth”.

When I contacted the Program director and let him know of this contradiction, he didn’t see a problem with it. I guess money talks.

 

[Kathrin]

I didn’t read all the replies, but I wanted to say something about the original question.
I think the attitude of the person is what is important. Not clinging to the riches, as has been said, is one thing, and the other thing I think is also: It might be sinful if the person thinks, “I have deserved this and I don’t care about the others”. Because we are to love our neighbors, I think even our farawy neighbors.

Personally I have a problem with getting something that seems like a waste while thinking somewhere else people are starving. Which is not to say that we are not to enjoy anything ebcause not everybody can. We are to love ourselves too. But I think it is a fine line we can walk here.

Having something and feeling happy about it because now we can help other people, can make somebody happy, and can enjoy some (reasonable) comfort, I think that’s good!

Having something and thinking, ha, I have it and you don’t, he he! That wouldn’t be so good.

Personally I really like the spirit of poverty. But so many things play a role in why somebody thinks they “need” certain things. Or maybe they really do need certain things. So it is probably really difficult to say whether an attitude is “sinful” or not.

Not caring about others can be sinful, like in the story of the rich man and Lazarus.

But it is so difficult, ebcause there are so many people who are in need, and aren’t we in a way supposed to help them all before we indulge in any luxury?

Again, on the other hand, I have made the experience that I have given so much away that I didn’t have enough left for myself and other people had to help me out again… but God always does provide.

Kathrin