Meghan Grill/ Period 7/ Materialism

Materialism is defined as the tendency to consider material possessions and physical

comfort as more important than spiritual values. For hundreds of years, the catholic church has

expressed the potential damage material goods can cause in our relationships and has argued

against the idea of materialism. The Catechism expresses the foundation of life and believes

we have two purposes or targets: to meet the basic needs of our household and to “allow for a

natural solidarity” to be built among people. Materialism allows for us to possess things we don’t

need and creates competition within individuals. Much like the Catechism’s view on

materialism, author Thomas Dubay stresses the sin associated with materialism in his book

Happy Are You Poor. Throughout his book, he touches base on the idea of gospel poverty and

explains why materialism damages this concept. Dubay explains how dissociating our self from

material good can help us break away from superfluities and focus more on the love and joy of

life.

Individuals throughout life often mistake the difference between superfluities and basic

needs. “A superfluity therefor is a thing that is needed for itself as an end nor as a means to get

something that is so needed.” (Dubay 60) Superfluities are sought for personal sake rather than

for necessity. By attaching ourselves to superfluities, or material things, we are pursuing a dead

end and dismissing ourselves from our one true goal: an everlasting life with God. The passion

of material goods can lower the general standard of living and focus our hearts on extreme greed.

“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food

and clothing, we will be content with that. ( 1 Timothy 6:7-8). By knowing the difference

between necessity and superfluity, we can distinguish our material belongings from our survival,
health, spiritual, and functional needs. When we finally realize the dangers of materialism and

detach ourselves from superfluities, we will experience the joys of a Christ-centered life.

A life of materialism often leads to a life searching for happiness. Excess belongings and

materialistic goods create dissatisfactions and distracts our hearts from God. “Having nothing,

possess all things” (2 Cor 6:10). Living in poverty and separating ourselves from the

materialistic world leads to fullness of prayer and joy. “Because this person places his security

on earth, his spirit will always be in prison”. (Dubay 91) By latching on to material goods, our

soul is held captive from the divine things in life. God says to his followers, “You must love the

Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” (Mark

12:30) When we live a materialistic life, our hearts are full of love for the luxury lifestyle, rather

than the spiritual one. We cannot fully devote our heart, soul, mind, and strength to God if it is

captivated by greed. Those who are free of material goods are free to love and rejoice in the joys

of the Lord.

Materialism is a dominant aspect in modern society. From a personal view, materialism

has played a big role in the world around me. Growing up in a private school, I often witnessed

how material goods always outweighed the more meaningful things in life, such as family,

friends, and religion. I’ve witnessed the toxic environment surrounding materialism but never

fully understood the damage it could do. By reading Thomas Dubay’s book, titled Happy Are

You Poor, I came to the realization that my viewpoint on poverty was completely wrong. As a

catholic, I learned the importance of gospel poverty and the role material goods can play onto

that. The motivation people have from material goods is short lived and true satisfaction will

only come when we focus our hearts, mind, and lives to Christ. Human nature is prone to priding

themselves in material goods, despite the hollowness and dissatisfaction it will eventually bring.
Coming from a society were poverty is not common, it is sometimes difficult to turn away from

the materialistic world around me. For many Catholics, including myself, gospel poverty is

something to work on and strive to achieve.

Materialism can branch in many different forms but overall can lead an individual to

possess and prioritize physical things rather than spiritual values. Possessing more than your

basic needs can often lead to nonsatisfaction and emptiness. The catholic church expresses the

damage and sin material goods can lead you too. In Thomas Dubas book titled, Happy Are You

Poor, he expresses how individuals can obtain a life that reflects one of gospel poverty. By

focusing on your basic needs and avoiding superfluity, you can achieve a life of joy, and for

Catholics – a life with God. When we focus on a simple lifestyle, one with minimal goods, we

will achieve a lifestyle of purpose.

 Works Cited.

Dubay, Thomas. Happy Are You Poor: the Simple Life and Spiritual Freedom. Ignatius Press,
2003.

The New American Bible: Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops, 2002.