Living With A Lot of Luxury

[RedDuke50]

Would it be a sin to live with a lot of luxurious things like manors and comfortable cars and having servants? Or would it only be a sin if you were obsessed with obtaining such luxury and wealth that you turned away from God?

Thank you

 

[Trishie]

As part of your research:

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c2a3.htm

Excerpts,

1931 Respect for the human person proceeds by way of respect for the principle that “everyone should look upon his neighbor (without any exception) as ‘another self,’ above all bearing in mind his life and the means necessary for living it with dignity.”

1947 The equal dignity of human persons requires the effort to reduce excessive social and economic inequalities. It gives urgency to the elimination of sinful inequalities.

I must go. I haven’t time right now to research the papal encyclicals of the Popes on social justice at this moment, but later perhaps.
God bless you.

 

[Rosella]

Well, I hope it’s not a sin because certainly the Holy Father lives in such a manor, as do most of the bishops in the USA. However, the Pope is clearly a very humble man, not decadent, and not over-indulgent. Also, he is 84, he needs some luxury and extra care.

 

[joshrp]

Would it be a sin to live with a lot of luxurious things like manors and comfortable cars and having servants? Or would it only be a sin if you were obsessed with obtaining such luxury and wealth that you turned away from God?

Thank you

Do you share what you have with others when you don’t need it for yourself?

 

[NiceMimi]

The sin is not in having wealth or luxury, it is in the love of money. The sin is in making idols of the material. Is this wealthy person tithing? Is this wealthy person using his/her wealth to help others via donations, good works, etc.

 

[joshrp]

Would it be a sin to live with a lot of luxurious things like manors and comfortable cars and having servants? Or would it only be a sin if you were obsessed with obtaining such luxury and wealth that you turned away from God?

Thank you

Just don’t keep for yourself what you don’t need and others do. I have a lot of junk. I should just get rid of most of it. In fact, that is just what I’m going to do.

 

[RedDuke50]

Thank you for the answers everyone.

 

[Bookcat]

Also read: vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P8U.HTM

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P8W.HTM

The Compendium of Social Doctrine:

Here:

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#CHAPTER%20SEVEN

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#The%20universal%20destination%20of%20goods%20and%20private%20property

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#The%20universal%20destination%20of%20goods%20and%20the%20preferential%20option%20for%20the%20poor

(etc…there is I imagine a lot there otherwise as well in that document)

Chap. 3 of vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_cons_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html

One can also search out what Pope Benedict XVI notes about living in a simple way or frugal way (do not quote me here…I forget the words he used)…and other such writings…

There is much one could read on the subject…

The way of the Christian life is not really" luxuary"…but charity etc…

One ought to have detachment, poverty of spirit, generosity, simplicity, service of the poor etc.

but even Kings have been Saints…taking various means to offset the fact that they were King and had to live as such…

More could be said…and has been said…

 

[Bookcat]

Also read: vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P8U.HTM

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P8W.HTM

The Compendium of Social Doctrine:

Here:

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#CHAPTER%20SEVEN

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#The%20universal%20destination%20of%20goods%20and%20private%20property

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#The%20universal%20destination%20of%20goods%20and%20the%20preferential%20option%20for%20the%20poor

(etc…there is I imagine a lot there otherwise as well in that document)

Chap. 3 of vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_cons_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html

One can also search out what Pope Benedict XVI notes about living in a simple way or frugal way (do not quote me here…I forget the words he used)…and other such writings…

There is much one could read on the subject…

The way of the Christian life is not really" luxuary"…but charity etc…

One ought to have detachment, poverty of spirit, generosity, simplicity, service of the poor etc.

but even Kings have been Saints…taking various means to offset the fact that they were King and had to live as such…

More could be said…and has been said…

PS: now if you (or a friend) have an extra house in the mountains…