1. Chapter 4: Money and Possessions:
Happiness is
Not for Sale

2. Why does our society have such a fascination with wealth?
Society has a fascination of wealth
TV Shows
Clothing
Inventory
What role do money and possessions play in your life?

3. On Loose-leaf
You have just won 2 million dollars from the New York State Lottery. Make a detailed list of the things you will buy and how you spend the money.
Write a reflection about how it would make you feel to have this money or these things and why.

4. Common Attitudes Toward Money
Money gives freedom
Buy anything we want
Go anywhere we want
Money brings security
Hold on tightly
Fret about it
Manage it
Money as a way to solve problems
Makes everyone happy
Money as a necessary means
We are not possessed by money
Kept in its place not before other values

5. Deciding the role money and possessions will play in our life has a huge impact on the lifestyle we create for ourselves.
Tells who we are and what we value

6. Enough vs. Excess What do we need money for?
What are the basic necessities are required for living?
Do these same necessities constitutes a dignified life?
Survival needs vs. Thrival needs
Are people satisfied with simply these needs being taken care of?
Survival needs: food, shelter, clothing, medical care
Thrival needs: education, transportation, entertainment, provision for the future (Social Security, retirement plans)

7. Discretionary Income Income over and above what will cover necessities
Why do people want a greater discretionary income?
Does money buy happiness?

8. 3 Illusions about Money and Possessions

9. How do we confuse wants with needs?
Make a list of the things that you want in your life right now?
Put a star by the things you need
Put an x by the things you want
Take a look at the list of your wants
Can these wants ever be satisfied?
Greed can never be satisfied

10. Cry for Soul Food
Our need and want for more and more comes from our soul needs
We need nourishment for our starving spirits
Material possessions can never fill the void
Only our relationship with God

11. Questions to Consider Do I equate money or possessions with happiness?
Do I harbor the belief that if I only had a certain amount of money or certain things, I would be happy?
Do I turn to buying things when I feel restless or unsatisfied?

12. How do we confuse social image with self worth?
Why do people carry Coach purses or wear name brand clothes?
Judge ourselves and others by status items
If we equate self worth with socially approved consumer items we will always feel less than adequate
Questions on 75

13. Our perception of our own value will depend on exterior things instead of the belief that we are essentially good and worthwhile
Created in God’s image and loved by God as we are

14. Questions to Consider
Have I ever told myself, even subconsciously things like, “I’d really be attractive or popular if I had…”
Do I judge other people’s value on what they have or how much they spend?
Do I get a rush when I buy an item that I know will make me the envy of my friends?

15. Confusing Spending with Freedom
Freedom of choice
Deeper meaning: ability to reflect, ponder, question, decide and act responsibly
Compulsive spending
The credit card trap
Gambling

16. The Christian Approach
St. Paul tells us:
“We brought nothing into the world, so will take nothing out of it.”
Wealth gives us a false sense of security
Only true sense of security is found in God

17. Freedom from Slavery “No one can serve two masters…”
Economic Justice for All: Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy
Different kind of freedom then freedom to buy
How do we become enslaved by wealth?
How do we serve it as a master?

18. New Attitude Toward Ownership
“Whatever belongs to God belongs to all.”
What does this mean about personal property?
Right to private property is not an absolute right
Lent to us by God
Cannot use possessions in ways that hurt others and the world
How do you feel about this notion?
Accumulation of wealth and resources by a minority of the world’s population betrays the gift of creation

19. Christian Attitude Toward Ownership Characterized by
Sharing:
Fair balance: giving so people can live with dignity
Those who have much do not have too much, those with little do not have too little
Don’t give so much that you despair
Give freely and cheerfully
When was a time you shared? Why did you share? How did it feel?

20. Simplicity
Live close enough to the limits of resources that we can rely on God’s love for us
Having just enough to not push you to either extreme
“Live simply so others may simply live.”
If you decided to simplify your life how would you do it?
What would you give away?
What would you keep?
What ways could you have fun without spending money?

21. Equality All persons in God’s sight
No class distinctions between Christians
Live by the principle love our neighbors as we love ourselves

22. Four Guidelines Celebrate the Creators Gift: Remain Free
Life is a gift to be celebrated and cherished not possessed and hoarded
Remain Free
Cant be taken in by materialism
Love ourselves where we are
Share Generously and Freely
God promises blessings to those who give to neighbors
Live Simply
Consume only what we need

23. Four Guidelines on Ownership
Brainstorm specific ways to implement the guideline in the lives of people your age.
Shape the ideas for their guideline into ten concrete behaviors for Christian ownership. Each statement should be in a complete sentence.