Sinful to buy yourself treats instead of helping the needy?

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When there is war in other countries and others need help, is it not sinful to buy yourself alcohol, soft drinks, candy, cigarettes, movie tickets, Disney reservations, birthday cakes, etc. as a treat, instead of giving that money to help them? Are we not “One Body in Christ”? “When one suffers, all suffer” the Catechism says (cf. CCC 953). For Christians to throw parties for themselves while other Christians need medical and educational supplies, etc., is that not sinful? Is such behavior not a recapitulation of the Good Samaritan parable’s priest and Levite who “passed by on the other side”? (cf. Luke 10:29-37; Christians share in the common priesthood and are one family in Christ)

Jesus says,
Luke 10:36-37
Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
Matthew 25:45
He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’
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My pastor told me it was not a sin for people to buy themselves drinks (soft drinks, alcohol) instead of helping people in Syria. The reason he gave was that if all of society were to do that, the people working at alcohol factories would be put out of work. He said it was not a simple problem. He said it was only sinful if it was an addiction. This discussion occurred in Japanese and he is busy, so I feel unable to discuss it with him further. I would have said, though, that in time of war, it makes sense for us to change jobs temporarily to help end the war: It would be good for the alcohol factories to shut down temporarily and those workers work instead to deliver humanitarian aid, for example. Again, “when one suffers, all suffer”: If we are not suffering with the Christians in Syria and Iraq, and more generally with others in need, are we really One Body with them?

It seems to me that what I have said here is correct, and that he is wrong to say it’s not a sin. It seems to me that it used to be okay to “not participate” in the plight of others internationally because we simply were unable to do so, but now that we have news and the means to help, it appears to me we have the moral imperative to do so. What are your thoughts? Have I erred in judgment? Am I mistaking some moral principle? If you disagree with me, then how is it not a sin? Why is it okay? How is it not self-centered and like the Rich Man who wouldn’t even give scraps (like the cost of beer or specialty coffee) to those in need (cf. Luke 16:19-21)? (Again, thanks to the Internet and recent globalization, those in need are effectively near us now.)
 
ethereality said:
When there is war in other countries and others need help, is it not sinful to buy yourself alcohol, soft drinks, candy, cigarettes, movie tickets, Disney reservations, birthday cakes, etc. as a treat, instead of giving that money to help them? Are we not “One Body in Christ”? “When one suffers, all suffer” the Catechism says (cf. CCC 953). For Christians to throw parties for themselves while other Christians need medical and educational supplies, etc., is that not sinful? Is such behavior not a recapitulation of the Good Samaritan parable’s priest and Levite who “passed by on the other side”? (cf. Luke 10:29-37; Christians share in the common priesthood and are one family in Christ)

Jesus says,

My pastor told me it was not a sin for people to buy themselves drinks (soft drinks, alcohol) instead of helping people in Syria. The reason he gave was that if all of society were to do that, the people working at alcohol factories would be put out of work. He said it was not a simple problem. He said it was only sinful if it was an addiction. This discussion occurred in Japanese and he is busy, so I feel unable to discuss it with him further. I would have said, though, that in time of war, it makes sense for us to change jobs temporarily to help end the war: It would be good for the alcohol factories to shut down temporarily and those workers work instead to deliver humanitarian aid, for example. Again, “when one suffers, all suffer”: If we are not suffering with the Christians in Syria and Iraq, and more generally with others in need, are we really One Body with them?

It seems to me that what I have said here is correct, and that he is wrong to say it’s not a sin. It seems to me that it used to be okay to “not participate” in the plight of others internationally because we simply were unable to do so, but now that we have news and the means to help, it appears to me we have the moral imperative to do so. What are your thoughts? Have I erred in judgment? Am I mistaking some moral principle? If you disagree with me, then how is it not a sin? Why is it okay? How is it not self-centered and like the Rich Man who wouldn’t even give scraps (like the cost of beer or specialty coffee) to those in need (cf. Luke 16:19-21)? (Again, thanks to the Internet and recent globalization, those in need are effectively near us now.)
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Agree with you and all YOU can do is live YOUR life according to your ideology as I do mine…

My own decision was made as I have close family working overseas with the truly needy and I know that every cent I send will go to feed the hungry and clothe the naked very directly ,and that they will have no hesitation in giving the food off their plate and the clothes off their backs if need be.

So I live( and I am old and cannot do active work) very very simply within safety and send every cent I can away

My decision made in Christ. Joyfully so

But none have any right and should have no need to call others out in “sin”. No right at all,
 
PS “treats” are in the eye of the one buying treats… Mine tend to be simple; a small bar of chocolate which will be food, a half price cake ditto… I never eat out, not even a coffee as I do nto enjoy eating out.

There is an art to living simply so that you are not constantly deprived, which is not healthy, And I enjoy the scenery here and the places I can visit without it costing. And I love the handwork I sell,

That is MY choice all of it. And I feel privileged to live like this.
 
Would natural continuation of your line of thought be that it is sinful to not sell almost all each of us have and give it to the poor?
 
. . . :bible1: . . .
And
GOD
saw all the things
that He had made,
and they were
very good.
- Genesis 1:31

+Merciful kindness and active generosity for the poor and needy were. . . always . . . a part of our LORD’s life here on earth . . . and most certainly we are to follow in His footsteps in regard to the needy . . . however . . . while living simply and sacrificially in regard to our helping out those less fortunate than ourselves . . . our Blessed LORD . . . never once . . . condemned things containing either . . . sugar . . . or alcohol . . .

I believe there is a very real . . . error . . . in the basic premise of the original poster’s thinking and understanding . . . and that is that . . . somehow . . . on our own we can . . . capriciously and arbitrarily . . . separate certain of the things GOD has created as . . . “very good” . . . and designate them as . . . *“treats” *. . . and then try to designate them somehow as possibly sinful in and of themselves to partake . . . *simply because there are poor in the world who have needs . . . *

On the counter in our kitchen this morning is a marvelous recipe for todays baking task . . . *for delicious oatmeal cookies *. . . which recipe contains oatmeal, eggs, flour, milk, sugar, fruit, cinnamon, salt, shortening, and vanilla . . . which nutritious cookies we bake for the family for all our good and good health . . . and for our good pleasure . . . for each and every one of the ingredients is good nutritious food . . . and when gathered together in the proper proportions and baked at the appropriate temperature . . . are healthy, pleasant and economical for our family and friends to share in and eat . . . which we eat with thanksgiving to Wonderful God for sharing His bounty with us . . .
. . . :gopray2: . . .

*Mealtime Prayer of Grace *

”Bless us,
**O LORD! **
and these Thy gifts,
which we are about to receive
from Thy bounty,
through
Christ our LORD.”
Amen.
+
And as far as . . .“alcohol” . . . is concerned . . . we are warned in several places in Sacred :bible1: Scripture . . . and through . . . Jesus’ . . . own life’s experience to be . . . very . . . very . . . careful . . . not . . . to misjudge persons or activities in regard to eating or drinking of particular foods or drink . . .

:bible1: For John came neither eating nor drinking; and they say: He hath a devil. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say: Behold a man that is a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of publicans and sinners.

And wisdom is justified by her children.

Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and** I** will refresh you. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.
- Matthew 11:18-19, 28-30​

Each of us must live our lives in sacrifical love for love ❤️ of God and our neighbor . . . as He leads us . . . and sacrifice and concern and acts of giving to the poor are . . . and should be . . . definitely . . . a part of the life of a child of God . . . but taking it upon ourselves to decide to . . . condemn . . . re eating certain earthly food and drink provisions I honestly do not believe is any part of the LORD’s plan for our lives here on earth . . .

Even our Beloved Saint Francis . . . Christ’s Own Little Poor Man . . . who’s love ❤️ for the poor and simplicity of life is legendary . . . on his death bed . . . as one of his last expressed desires here on earth . . . he expressed a desire for a special food made predominately of almonds and sugar . . . and . . . the Sweet Spirit of our Holy God . . . led a dear soul who lived quite a distance away . . . to prepare and bring this delicious blessed sweet concoction to him on his death bed . . . *(as it is revealed in the book "The Little Flowers of St. Francis) . . .

. . . all for​
Jesus​
+
. . . thank You Dear Saviour our LORD+
. . . thank you Blessed Virgin Mary our Mother+
. . . thank you Holy Mother Church+​
*
 
Something that I have struggled with from time to time. Thank you for the reminder as the holidays approach. I know I can ask for something to help others instead of myself for my Christmas gift.

Jesus 123 you have such a good explanation. Not to judge other’s in their consumption. And that treats, are sometimes just a good thing for us.

God Bless you!
 
I understand the need to give to those less fortunate.

What would likely happen to an elderly person to sell everything and give away their retirement savings? When they have to pay bills, for instance, and everything is gone? Do they give up their house as well, if they have one? If you sell a house you could get a good amount to give away, as well as savings and maybe your automobile.

Mother Teresa had absolutely nothing of her own and she made it somehow. I don’t know how she did it. Not everyone can radically give away everything; someone taking a vow of poverty does. They even renounce their own inheritances and give the money to whoever. It would seem that some enjoyment in life for most people is important. Life is hard and there is a lot of suffering and pain.
 
I’ve not read all answers yet, so hope I don’t repeat…

I think to some degree it comes down to who hath greater love. The parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man can teach us alot here, it seems.

It was not that the rich man was rich or that he even enjoyed himself necessairly but that he gave absolutely no heed and nothing to a person who was in great need and right in front of him on a daily basis. He thought only of himself and kept all his wealth just for himself. Those who give more of themselves will have a higher degree of glory in heaven, will they not, provided they give cheerfully out of love for God and neighbor.

Not loving thy neighbor is indeed a sin, and the rich man didn’t lift a finger in making an attempt to love his neighbor.

Many of us live in cities and are often confronted with the homeless who ask for something, I know of a person who does not give money but will at times give a voucher for food or some such thing, like a gift card from McDonalds.

Some are called to radical poverty, but all are called to give to some degree of the wealth that they are stewards of and not just build bigger barns for themselves. Building bigger barns can be a subtle and easy thing for us all to do, I think.
 
Jesus_123 (and egretps via compliment), you have misunderstood the problem: The sin in question here is neglecting to care for the needy. The sin is not merely partaking of goods.

I am tired of the Catholic Answers community, both here and on their “Live” show, repeatedly falling into the erroneous thinking of appealing to extremes:
ChurchSoldier said:
Would natural continuation of your line of thought be that it is sinful to not sell almost all each of us have and give it to the poor?
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Arizona_Fat_Gir said:
What would likely happen to an elderly person to sell everything and give away their retirement savings? When they have to pay bills, for instance, and everything is gone? Do they give up their house as well, if they have one? …] Not everyone can radically give away everything;
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Seriously. I say, “When people are suffering genocide, help them instead of buying yourself beer,” and the response I get is literally, “Not everyone can radically give away everything.” This is absurd.

(By the way, the most common instance of this logical fallacy is when people complain that God isn’t acting like a Father, i.e. not caring sufficiently for His adopted children, and the response given is, “God isn’t a magical vending machine!” Please reflect on how this response commits this problem of exaggerating the proposed argument to the point of making a straw man out of it.)

To answer your question, ChurchSoldier, no. I am talking about money we don’t need – hence I gave examples of money going towards movie tickets, candy, Disney reservations – not money we do need for things like a house, food, and clothes. The demarcation is clear: Are your needs met? Is it a need or a want? Are you seeking a necessity or to give yourself extra unnecessary pleasure?

I hope this has clarified the matter.

Finally, I agree with JamalChristophr: My understanding is the level of greatness we attain in heaven depends (at least in part) on how such suffering we undergo for others beyond this minimum that I propose above. The Church apparently refers to this as supererogation. (I came across this term recently reading St. Thomas Aquinas, free Kindle book quoting some excerpts from the Summa concerning Prayer and the Contemplative Life. This item might be it.)
 
I also complimented you. I am probably not going to receive any Christmas gifts this year. Or at least I am considering it, but not to impress the CAF or posters.

But, I complimented Jesus 123 because too often I’ve found people are judgemental when they look upon other’s consumption. No matter which direction that judgement would go. I don’t want to be guilty of this anymore.

Most people here are striving to do what is right.

Are you are feeling overwhelmed in the face of the horror show that is our world today? I am. I thought you had some good points.

Recently our Gospel reading was about Lazarus and the rich man. And I was enjoying the Serendipity of your post.
 
Treats are sometimes a good thing because the world is so harsh, a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.

My treats are not so much in the food department; they are in the jewelry department. However, that is not bad insofar as I have donated some good jewelry to the church for their annual art and craft show.

Sometimes everyone needs a little pick me up. You have to figure that later on you won’t be able to do it. You just never know.
 
When I give up all my money, then … will I have to live in a cardboard box?

At that point do I become a charity case?

How, at that point, do I help poor people?

There are literally billions of needy people. What is the best way of my helping them?
 
Monte_RCMS said:
When I give up all my money, then … will I have to live in a cardboard box?

At that point do I become a charity case?

How, at that point, do I help poor people?

There are literally billions of needy people. What is the best way of my helping them?
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Consider the life of St. Francis of Assisi. He did exactly that. I don’t think everyone is called to do that. But doing what he did is not so crazy in the eyes of God.
 
You cannot do everything. Help when you can, but Syria is on the other side of the planet.

Jess was anointed with precious oil, and Judas complained that “it could have been sold and given to the poor”.

Arizona Fat Gir is right: often, we mortals need respite from the wanton cruelty and tedium of the world.
 
LeafByNiggle said:
Consider the life of St. Francis of Assisi. He did exactly that. I don’t think everyone is called to do that. But doing what he did is not so crazy in the eyes of God.
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How then do I help the poor?

I have the education, the licenses and certifications and relevant experience and abilities … If I live in a cardboard box, how do I bring clean drinking water to the poor?

How do I grow food and grind wheat and catch fish to feed the poor?

Some of the apostles owned fishing boats and nets. Would I give those up, as well?
 
ethereality said:
When there is war in other countries and others need help …
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In other words, at any time in the history of the world?
ethereality said:
… is it not sinful to buy yourself alcohol, soft drinks, candy, cigarettes, movie tickets, Disney reservations, birthday cakes, etc. as a treat, instead of giving that money to help them?
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It’s interesting that the only name in your list is Disney. Somehow, I think that the name Alfred Nobel would be more appropriate. If Walt Disney had never been born, then you wouldn’t have to worry about people misdirecting their money. The problem seems to be Walt Disney, not Alfred Nobel.
ethereality said:
I would have said, though, that in time of war, it makes sense for us to change jobs temporarily to help end the war: It would be good for the alcohol factories to shut down temporarily and those workers work instead to deliver humanitarian aid, for example.
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In reply to this, I have three points. First, I doubt that distillery workers have any particular interest in going into war zones where ceasefires may end unexpectedly, and where humanitarian aid workers are deliberately targeted by terrorists.

Second, is there any evidence that wars end because lots of humanitarian aid is delivered? For example, can you identify any combatant who is involved in the civil war in Syria who is likely to stop fighting when presented with evidence that a sufficiently large amount of humanitarian aid has been provided, and who will say, “That’s too much humanitarian aid. That crosses the line, so now I will have to stop fighting”?

Third, why do you focus attention on distilleries (“alcohol factories” in your words) rather than focusing attention on factories that produce ammunition, bombs, etc?
 
ethereality said:
I am talking about money we don’t need – hence I gave examples of money going towards movie tickets, candy, Disney reservations – not money we do need for things like a house, food, and clothes. The demarcation is clear: Are your needs met? Is it a need or a want? Are you seeking a necessity or to give yourself extra unnecessary pleasure?

I hope this has clarified the matter.
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To me it is now clear that the following aren’t necessities: novels, poetry, and plays. However, I still don’t know whether tungsten carbide drills are a necessity or an unnecessary pleasure.

You might find the following amusing:
One day you’ll realize there’s more to life than culture. There’s dirt and smoke, and good honest sweat!

Doesn’t it seem a bit counter-intuitive to say that people who are buying lottery tickets are doing the right thing (because a significant percentage of the money goes to charity), and that people who are buying books by Shakespeare, Pushkin, and Jane Austen are committing a sin?

Not all spending on homes, food, and clothes is an absolute necessity. When people want to save money for some major and expensive goal, they might make significant sacrifices that affect where they live, what clothing they wear, what they eat, etc. However, all of their needs may be satisfied.

Homes, food, and clothes are examples of categories of high levels of spending. If your goal as an individual person is to cut spending, then those are categories to focus on, because a small percentage cut in that spending will have a bigger effect than completely eliminating attending movies.

Compare the number of square feet of space inside movie theaters in a given city to the total number of square feet of space inside all of the clothing stores in that city. Also, compare the number of employees in movie theaters in that city to the total number of employees in all of the clothing stores in that city. It seems likely that aggregate spending on attending movies in theaters is comparatively small. After all, it is spending on clothing that pays for all of the real estate and employee wages that are dedicated to selling clothing.

On the other hand, we have to distinguish between what makes economic sense for you as an individual, and what effect your proposal would have if it were accepted and practiced by an entire community. Your spending is income for somebody else, and if everybody lives in a basement apartment, then what will the main floor rooms be used for?

I recall reading that during the Great Depression in North America, a farmer reasoned that if 25% of people are unemployed, then 75% were employed, and that people in North America who have jobs can afford to buy strawberries. So, instead of growing wheat and risking bankruptcy because of the enormous amount of wheat grown and the resulting low price of wheat, the farmer switched to strawberries. However, if everybody had been convinced that it was a sin to spend money on strawberries, then growing strawberries wouldn’t have been an option.

Here are some more examples of things that aren’t necessities: sporting equipment (such as tennis racquets, basketball hoops and basketballs), black pepper, paprika, and strawberries.
 
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