711- Is the use of the fruits of the earth a right of all humans?
“That right is a consequence of the need to stay alive. God would not impose a duty without granting the means to fulfill it.”
712- Toward what end has God made the enjoyment of material things attractive?
“To drive humans to fulfill their missions and also to test them with temptation.”
– What is the purpose of such temptation?
“To develop their reason so that they may learn to keep themselves from excesses.”
If humans had only been driven to utilize the fruits of the earth because of their usefulness, their indifference could have compromised the harmony of the universe. God has given them the attraction of pleasure and this in turn incites them to accomplish the designs of Providence. However, through this same attraction, God also wills to test them with temptation, and this incites them to abuse; nonetheless, their reason should free them from it.
713- Do enjoyments have bounds traced out by nature?
“Yes, to show you the limit of what is necessary. But through your excesses you bring on satiety, and thus you punish yourselves.”
714- What should be thought of those who seek to satisfy their tastes through all kinds of excesses?
“They are unfortunate creatures whom we should pity and not envy because they are very close to death.”
– Is it physical or moral death that they are close to?
“Both.”
Those who seek to satisfy their tastes through excesses of all kinds place themselves below the animals because animals at least know how to limit themselves to satisfying their needs. Such persons negate the reason that God has given them for their guidance, and the greater their excesses, the greater is the dominion they give their animal nature over the spiritual. The illnesses, ailments and death that result from abuse are also punishments for transgressing God’s law.
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