is it a sin to be rich?

Question

you could always just be "normal" and give what you have to somebody who needs it, right (by the way, i am not rich, :))

ps) i have one more question i can't seem to find a satisfactory answer to. the issue of forgiveness; if you forgive somebody for how they have behaved, what they've said, etc, you're in no way obliged to keep them in your life, right (as friends)? thanx

Answer 1

No.

Money however, magnifies a person's personality. The more they have, the more you can see what kind of personality they have, good heart or bad intentions.

Answer 2

I don't believe it's a sin to be rich as long as you give some of it back. Even though it should be, the world isn't fair. Nobody is entitled to a cut of your wealth, no matter how much you have--although if you DO have enough money to give some away and not hurt yourself financially, but instead horde it all for youself, in my opinion you would make you a pretty rotten person.

And in regards to your question of forgiveness, no, I don't believe that you have any further obligation to be someone's friend or keep them in your life after you've forgiven them. There are people who I've had disagreements with that led to the end of our friendship, but we're still cool with each other because we've let those things go... We don't make plans to hang out or anything now, but if we see each other at a party or whatever we're fine. It's better to forgive someone and let them go as a friend than to try and keep up the friendship just because you feel like it's what you're obligated to do.

Answer 3

It is not a sin to be rich.

David, Abraham, Solomon, Moses, Jacob, Job were all exceedingly wealthy. Power and money gave both David and Solomon a problem that hurt them a lot.

Luke 17:3,4 shows that we should forgive. However, it also shows that we should rebuke the offending person and forgive that one if he repents!

Most of the time, one would think that this would restore things to normal -- that is if the wrongdoer repented. But we are human, and if the hurt was serious, it may not be possible to be buddies as previously might have been the case.

I know of no scripture that makes this necessary. However, if forgiveness has been accorded, civility and friendliness should be the least expected when perhaps meeting in church, right? Otherwise, have you forgiven the person?

Still, if the other person treats you with a cold shoulder, all you can do is to try to do the right thing and let him commit his sin.

Answer 4

No, I do not think it's a sin to be rich. I'm not rich either.
I also do not think altruism is some sort of magical "ought" that goes along with being rich. I in fact don't necessarily believe "sin" is the right word to use in the philosophical realm, as it is religious in connotation.
As to the second question. I don't think I ever turn down an apology and I always forgive people. But, I do not keep them in my life. A well spoken apology doesn't just miraculously make everything tabula rosa.

Answer 5

Sin is subjective, and dependent on a person's own morals. Morals, of course, are subjective, too. So to be rich is fine if it's from the fruit of your own labors, but not from the labors of someone else.

If you're rich at the expense of someone else, then you're just plain evil and selfish. If that's the case, it would be wise to give back to the community somehow.

As for your question on forgiveness, no one is obliged to be anyone's friend. You are someone's friend as a sign of goodwill. Of course, if you've forgiven someone, it shows you have unconditional love. But, no, it doesn't require you to keep that person in your life. Especially if that person--within reason--has been unfair, or hurtful to you. Hope that helps.

Answer 6

If you worked hard and honest for your money, it's not a sin. If you were brutual, cutthroat, and back stabbing to earn your money it's a sin. As far as forgiveness, forgive and forget the person in question if it was a mean, intentional act. If it was a small issue, just forgive the person and continue your relationship. We all make mistakes.

Answer 7

Over time, certain phrases get mangled by misuse or editors and eventually the true menaing of the phrase has been lost. OK, so let's set things straight here once and for all. The expression is NOT "Money is the root of all evil" it is "The LOVE of money is the root of all evil." We have to have money in order to survive and keep rooves over our heads and food in our mouths and bellies. And if someone is either very talented or lucky at making or acquiring money, the ownershp of it is not sinful. When money becomes the center of you universe, it's sinful

Answer 8

I think about that a lot. I think that great richness does go under the category of greed, and is especially wrong if you are a snob. Instead of getting that designer jacket, save some African babies from Malaria. I'm 14, and I plan to give away much of what I have to charity, and just live modestly.

Answer 9

It's not a sin to be rich but it is a greater responsibility.
It is okay to stay away from someone who is harmful to your well being and you know you cant deal with them.
Forgiveness doesn't mean you have to put your well being in harms way.

Answer 10

no I don't think it's a sin to be rich - I'd like to try it myself sometime :)

forgiving and forgetting are 2 different things. and no, you are in no way obliged to keep anyone in your life that you choose not to deal with anymore - honestly why would you be??

Answer 11

Sloth is one of the seven deadly sins. There is an amazing campaign right now called the "One" campaign. It is encouraging the United States to give a measly 1% of its annual budget to fight world hunger.

I think your answers are best found in the parables I cited.