Having Expensive "Taste" a Sin

[scrofford]

Well then you have done all you can do. It's not her business how you get your money. She should value your friendship, not covet your money.

 

[SqueekSSqueekS]

Expensive taste is not a sin, but where it takes away from your spirituality it is (i.e. Paying tithes and such). Your friends sounds like a jealous personality. The reason why she doesn't have a lot is not because she doesn't have it, it's because she doesn't see it. People like that are toxic. So long as you are grateful for what you have and know that - even with a million dollars- it could all disappear as fast as it came.

 

[Aaliyah]

I can't believe the comments here. If you asked Jesus about this, do you think He would say "oh, she's just jealous" lol. I really don't think so.

Let's look at this from a Christian viewpoint, instead of a worldly one. It is our job as Christians to not become a stumbling block for others. And I believe that is true for anything. Maybe the problem is not all your friends. Maybe you do spend a bit extravagantly, and that's really not Godly. I think that you should really pray about this and see what God and the Holy Spirit have to tell you about it. I highly doubt it will be the advice that you are getting here.

 

[Romanseight2005]

But as I said earlier, if she does have a spending problem, and the Holy Spirit was convicting her friend to show it to her, it would have been done in such a different way. She wouldn't have said,"I can't be your friend anymore." Also, it seems to me from the OP that the jealousy of the friend may actually be the stumbling block for the OP. Spending too much is one of those things that can only be determined by God and the person spending, unless the fruits of the spending are an obvious problem, like a person can't pay the rent because they spent the rent money on the latest fashion. Like I said earlier, I don't have a great desire for new clothes, but they are given to me regularly. This has actually been a testament to my husband of God's love. He is always amazed by it, and loves the fact that our money doesn't go towards nice clothes for me, but I can always look nice. If I stopped getting new clothes, I would continue to be grateful for what I already have, and not be wanton of more clothes. If I were, then I would have to deal with my own lack of contentment.

 

[Aaliyah]

But as I said earlier, if she does have a spending problem, and the Holy Spirit was convicting her friend to show it to her, it would have been done in such a different way. She wouldn't have said,"I can't be your friend anymore." Also, it seems to me from the OP that the jealousy of the friend may actually be the stumbling block for the OP. Spending too much is one of those things that can only be determined by God and the person spending, unless the fruits of the spending are an obvious problem, like a person can't pay the rent because they spent the rent money on the latest fashion. Like I said earlier, I don't have a great desire for new clothes, but they are given to me regularly. This has actually been a testament to my husband of God's love. He is always amazed by it, and loves the fact that our money doesn't go towards nice clothes for me, but I can always look nice. If I stopped getting new clothes, I would continue to be grateful for what I already have, and not be wanton of more clothes. If I were, then I would have to deal with my own lack of contentment.

Well, that is you. And it is clear that you have a good handle on your situation. You are obviously being blessed by God. I can't see someone being jealous of that and if they are then they should be jealous that you and God have such a good relationship and should want that for themselves. No harm done.

However, we're talking about the OP. And that's a completely different situation. If she really cares about her friend, she should not be a stumbling block for her. It is not kind to flaunt your nice stuff when others are clearly in need or do not have nice stuff. This is really a problem with society today. If people actually cared about each other, we would not have homeless people and then on the other end, people with 4 houses. Doesn't make much sense does it? And it's definitely not Godly.

It's kind of like you Romanseight, where would you be at if your friends didn't give you nice clothes. More people need to be like that.

 

[favoredbyGod]

Aaliyah,

What the Lord has blessed me back shouldnt be a stumbling block for others, thats something in them and not me. I wont feel bad about it.

And if u can read Aaliyah, as I said, my friend has taken it upon herself to snoop around in my things, get your facts straight and pray that God would give you Godly understanding of what you read before you comment.

I have helped my friend beyond and God can attest to that. U clearly are confused about the whole post!

As I have stated I don't flash anything in front of anybody. Where I stay I dont flash that, The clothes that I wear, she has eyes...I dont have to say "oh look at me", because I am in school, I dont say, "look at me."
Where they do that at?

 

[Aaliyah]

Aaliyah,

What the Lord has blessed me back shouldnt be a stumbling block for others, thats something in them and not me. I wont feel bad about it.

And if u can read Aaliyah, as I said, my friend has taken it upon herself to snoop around in my things, get your facts straight and pray that God would give you Godly understanding of what you read before you comment.

I have helped my friend beyond and God can attest to that. U clearly are confused about the whole post!

As I have stated I don't flash anything in front of anybody. Where I stay I dont flash that, The clothes that I wear, she has eyes...I dont have to say "oh look at me", because I am in school, I dont say, "look at me."
Where they do that at?

You clearly already have your mind made up about this subject, so why even post here? You have angrily rejected any opinion that differs from yours. You don't really want advice, you want people to agree with you.

I am just saying that there is a fine line between having nice things, and having too much. I don't know exactly what kinds of things you buy, but I figure they must be pretty nice if your friend has that much of a problem with it. Like if you just had enough things, I don't think your friend would be jealous. But that's for you to work out with God, whatever.

I'm not going to argue about this. That's not why I posted in here. I was really only trying to help. This is a CHRISTIAN forum. So I was offering my Christian advice. But I really don't think that's what you want. I'm sorry I tried to help. That's all I have to say.

 

[favoredbyGod]

You havent given advice based off the info that I have given because you clearly didn't read the post, you ignored the facts and made up your own scenario.

I wanted to know was having expensive taste a sin in general, that was my question.

As far as my friend and I, God knows all the situations facts and details and I am pretty confident that I did all that I could as a Godly friend to her.
Its a fact that some people are just jealous.....you dont have to do anything for people to be jealous.

I weigh alot less than my friend and she is jealous of that. I am no means skinny, but I am average and she has stated she resented me for that. SO is that my fault? should I gain 100 pounds because my weight is a "stumbling block" for her even though no one is else is focused on her weight but her. I dont even mention it.

Where they do that at? Thats all Im saying. Stick with the facts.

 

[Almighty's humble servant]

Back to the original ????

Dearest sister,

I too have expensive tastes. I have to eat at least $3/day in food. I also don't feel comfortable with more than two holes in my shoes. So, the answer is no, it is not bad to have expensive tastes. It is absolutely OK to want clean dry shoes and a full belly.

But if at any time, I felt entitled to my less holey shoes, I would be sinning.
If at any time I was not happy with my 3/day food budget, I would be sinning.
You see, americans base their financial wealth on americans. They do not see that Christ did not say that a rich american has a camels chance at salvation. He said a rich man has a camels chance at salvation.

The measure He used was of the world. Not a circle of the elite.

Remember sister, it is easier to let go of what you don't want, then what you feel entitled to.

Also remember that only the proud are insulted by the truth. And ALmighty has an uncomfortably warm place set aside for the proud.

It doesn't matter what we give, because someone has to ask Jesus what about the things we did in His name!
And He doesn't have a very gentle reply to them!

 

[Aaliyah]

Okay, well if you don't feel like God is convicting you for this or anything, then you shouldn't worry about it. That's really all that matters.

 

[Krystabelle]

I don't really know about your friend, cuz from the way I see it, its one sided. Seriously, I can't just say your friend is jealous or that you're completely right.

One thing I am certain though. Your financial is not completely YOUR business, it's God's. Sounds religious, but it is. Not judging, just had a strong urge to remind you of your tithes and offerings. It's 10 percent but if you are able it's no sacrifice to give more.

When it comes to giving, you really should just stop focusing on yourself and rather be compassionate and sensitive to others' needs. There are many types of people out there, some that take it for granted and some that are silent of their gratitude. But whatever it is, God asks us to give.

Jesus has warned before that it is hard for the rich to get saved. I don't really understand cuz I am quite well to be but as I grow older I find it true when I live with Louis Vuiton clutching housemates. Appreciation of the smallest things is one thing. But easily said, it's just hard for them to get saved.

Just a challenge for you to meditate on that thought. God bless

 

[favoredbyGod]

I always tithe and pay offerings thats off the top....when I said its my business, it was meant for the general public. what is done with my finances after the needful things are taken care of is between my parents, God and myself.
i was just thinking if ppl where more concerned about their financial situations and pleasing God than worrying about other ppl things, the world be a better place.
as ive stated b4 God knows the dynamics of the situation and he will work it out accordingly.

 

[b.hopeful]

I think being a good steward of all of God's blessings is a virtue. I would have a hard time being close friends with someone that spent money on outrageously priced novelties. It would make me question their priorities and where their heart truly lies. I do think we have the right and duty to trust in our close friends character. Maybe something about your spending and lifestyle is making her question the quality of your character. When I think about my really close friends...they are people that I trust and admire greatly. I have associates that I don't hold in the highest esteem...but if I'm bringing you into my life that much....I want you to be of sound character.

I'm not saying that you are NOT of sound character....just that perhaps your friend is struggling with that. It's not always about being a hater or jealousy. Pax

 

[favoredbyGod]

my dear, I never said that I spend outrageous amounts on items. U may want to reread what I have written. I never even operationally defined what I considered as "expensive". LETS READ FIRST! as ive stated before, the things that I purchase dont even cost that much. a shirt that costs $50 compared to someone who cant afford it is considered to be expensive. as ive stated lets not make up scenarios. read what is written, not what u think....you dont have to read between the lines when its their for you in black and white.

My friend is not poor at all; she is not a pauper or homeless, so lets not make up scenarios. DONT GET IT TWISTED!! she is very well kept and she enjoys fine things too, only she cant afford them ALWAYS. Her accounts become deliquent and she has even been evicted behind the issue. She has even expressed her jealousy to me saying that, "I have it easy" in life, That she wants long hair like mine, SHE wants to get down to my size (I wear a size 12, which is not all that small) and that she was resentful to me because I left our homestate to go off to college and again to grad school. Ive encouraged her to do all of the above, ive prayed for her, encouraged her to go to school (finally she has enrolled this semester, thankfully) and Ive even contributed as well as my parents to her moving expenses since her parents arent supportive of her.

So as a friend I should go and get some non-supportive parents, become deliquent in all my billing accounts, drop out of school, gain weight and go bald so that she wont "see these things in me." Does this reasoning make any sense? No

 

[christandisrael]

We, as Christians, are told to abstain from jealousy. It is she who has the problem with you. She wishes that she has it the same way that you have it. Pray for her because the Heavenly Father can mover mountains. He will do it for you (and her)!

 

[Macx]

There are two things that will blemish a retainer, and these are riches and honor. If one but remains in strained circumstances, he will not be marred.
Once there was a certain man who was very clever, but it was his character to always see the negative points of his jobs. In such a way, one will be useless. If one does not get it into his head from the very beginning that the world is full of unseemly situations, for the most part his demeanor will be poor and he will not be believed by others. And if one is not believed by others, no matter how good a person he may be, he will not have the essence of a good person. This can also be considered as a blemish.

From the first chapter.


I have been in support of favoredbyGod throughout this thread . .. if you can read the quote above with the understanding that I say it in support of her, you'll understand my meaning. I believe her.