What are your thoughts about stock market? How about day trading? I know a lot of people from church who are participating in the stock market and are making a lot of money and one of those people is actually a priest.
I am really good at it but feel guilty. Is it wrong. I really need the extra money. I don’t care much about money. I love helping people and giving others. I am just a bit tight now and need something extra.
Comments
I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. We were always taught that, if you do invest in the stock market, don't expect to make money and only do so if you are atleast covered financially for the next 6 months. It's not a quick nor a fast way to make money, specially if it's "a bit tight"
The definition of gambling is the following:
- take risky action in the hope of a desired result.
If your sole goal is a desired result of increased money and the investment includes risk, this is defined as gambling.
If you invest with the hope of improving a company because you believe in its product, and want them to produce better products, which in turn will give you money (or may include loss), this is not gambling. All depends on your intentions and on your heart.
May God bless, protect and guide you.
If you are doing it just for the money and finding that this feeds a root of love of money, it is better to abstain. The sin of love of money is very subtle. St. Paul warns that the love of money is the root of all evil. This surely means love of money is prevalent and grows very subtly. Speak to your father of confession on what may protect you from love of money and ask him if he finds it ok for you to invest. If you feel comfortable to invest at that point, go ahead.
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2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
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Say you wanted to give it to church, that money would not be accepted (and that is a known condition, you can ask anyone about that).
If nothing is wrong with it, then why would the Church not accept it although the church needs money.
Going off of the Apostle’s writing, the first part explains how in the time of the Early Church people had the same concerns as you and DID indeed fulfill them. Be they betting or whatever, the Apostles refused that any dishonest money be given to Christ (the Church), because Christ is Honesty.
He now goes further to simplify and explain that whoever doesn’t work (toil/sweat), doesn’t eat (rest/relax).
These are not my words, but the words of the Holy Spirit scribed by those who have truthfully preceded us, so long ago that we still remember them.
Let us focus on greater matters that may not permit us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Christ does not care about money or buildings or anything.
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Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
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Pray for me.
seriously though i think it depends on yr motives, remember quickly buying and selling can destabilise the market and it usually poorer ppl who loose out.
https://erlc.com/resource-library/articles/a-biblical-case-against-gambling
The same way when Christ received the gifts from the Magi, was that a sin? - No
When you want to show someone that you love them, you gift them with something valuable.
Ex: Christ offered himself for mankind, giving us the best Gift we needed and would ever need.
Ex: St Paul the Theban gave St Anthony his ascetic cloak. St Anthony later on have it to St Athanasius. There you go, 3 of the Church’s greatest Saints, no sin lies between what they did, and this account is still spoken of today.
When someone gives you a gift, it means that they regard you of so much value that you are worth them standing and working. You are worth the efforts they exerted!
So, No, receiving gifts is not a sin.