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Is it a sin (catholic) that I want to work to get a well paying job
To use the money mainly to help and inspire other people? Or would I just risk letting money get to my head? I'm 18 and an undergraduate in college, and ideally I want to live in a decent apartment in a quiet part of a city. Not in a "gated" community, but not in a ghetto or anything. I just want to see average people of different backgrounds, because it makes me the most comfortable. I only want to keep things that are useful to me, and which remind me to follow the commandments with joy. I want to be an economist, but my parents want me to pursue accounting first, as it would be easier for me to secure a job. I think it would also teach me discipline to become a CPA first, because discipline is something I need more practice in. I also want to do it as a kind of penance, to show I'm truly sorry for my sins in the past. And I want to become an economist and try to see work through the lens of how I've come to interpret Christianity, in a fair and just way. I was baptised Catholic at a young age, but only when I reached rock bottom about a month ago, and finally prayed with an earnest heart, did I start actually seeing God everywhere. Like when I concentrate and try to find God, I see his work. I can't believe how blind I was for most of my life. I used to want to become an economist for money and respect from others (I was an agnostic, but leaning atheist, because I didn't see how The Bible related to my life. Mainly cause I never read it with an honest heart, I'd read it skeptically and it would never get through my hardened heart) but now I want to do for God, and I want to follow his commands over whatever rules there may be, even if it costs me my job (if I lose my job I could always find an accounting job! haha). I'm just a bit worried if that is prideful to do? Is it harder to be humble when you have money? My family is upper middle class now but I don't think I'm "better" than a poor or rich person. I still have to be confirmed and to learn a lot more about the faith, and I'm really excited (Is it true it's bad to read too much of the bible in one sitting? I got a bit carried away two days ago and read all of romans, but I want to read it again and again. I never want to be blind to God's love ever again because I've never felt this at peace since I was a young child. I had really bad social anxiety and yesterday I sat with two groups people I had never met and had faith, and I didn't get the bad responses I had expected! I think the more I open my heart to the lord and trust, the more he'll teach me about what love actually is. Before it was just a word.) Anyways, I want to donate a lot of the money I would earn to charities that seem just and worthwhile, as well as to people in my own family in a country in Africa, where there's a lot of poverty. I want to use the money to give people hope there, too. People who follow God's will, and people who tend to sin. I mean, it's just lack of "seeing". How could I sin now when I've seen God' existence? How do I show it to others? I'm still learning myself. So many questions! I prayed to God about which career I should take and I just get the feeling I should do what I want to do, because I feel it just fits my personality. I don't know how to explain it. I also want to do missionary work and whatever else to keep me humble, if I'm not. I know changing old habits will take a lot of drive, but the idea of seeing god face to face seems like the best motivator. Sorry this question is super long, I need to learn how to be more concise! I'd really appreciate an answer though, there's so much I have still to learn about how to follow God's will and I really want to learn
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Want to answer more questions in the Miscellaneous category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Spirituality?
I think it's a great thing to get a well-paying job to support your family or your self. It is not sinful to want to do well in life and to want to have a career :)
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Here is something for you to think about:
Say you get an education that leads you to a financially successful career. Then maybe that is God's path for you in this life. To have wealth isn't pride. If you work hard for something, you deserve it. What would be a bad thing? Thinking you're better than others, putting yourself before others, stuff like that.
You already say that your family is upper middle class, and you don't feel you are better than anyone else. Why would you be concerned that you'd change as a person?
If you become a financially successful, then remember those who are less fortunate, and donate to charities and worthy causes. And you can always make sure you stay in touch with the heart of caring for others by donating free time to soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and other places where your loving and caring for others makes a big difference.
Sorry that's the only part of your question I got to, but I hope that helps a little bit.
Wish I could be more helpful.
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I do not think any religion has a problem with work or 'toil' as it is known. I was brought up Catholic on my father's side and his family are obsessed with working, I think they see it as a sin if someone falls on hard times and cannot get work despite the economic climate.
However the church does encourage the concept of private prayer as it is seen as a conversation between yourself and Jesus.
I lost my faith many years ago, however I have a good understanding of how it works and parts of other religions.
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