and 2. Because it also was sanctified in Baptism^ and is destined for eternal glory.
He who loves his body in this manner will constantly subdue its unlawful desires, and thus, according to the admonition of St. Paul, 'Present it a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing unto God' (Rom. xii. 1).
44. When do we love the goods of this world in a Christian manner?
When we love them, 1. As far as all created things have their origin in God and are His gifts; and 2. As far as they serve us, to promote the honor of God, to assist the needy, and to fulfil the duties of our state of life.
He who loves the goods of this world in this manner will not turn his heart away from God, in order to seek his happiness in them, but will make such a use of them that on their account he will not forfeit those of Heaven.
45. What is opposite to this Christian love of one's self?
Inordinate self-love.
46. When is self-love inordinate?
1. When man prefers his own honor and will to the honor and will of God; 2. When he is more solicitous for his body and for temporal things than for his soul and eternal salvation; and 3. When he seeks his own welfare to the unlawful injury of his neighbor.
This vicious self-love is the source of all sins. 'Men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, haughty, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, wicked, without affection, without peace, slanderers, incontinent, unmerciful, without kindness, traitors, stubborn, puffed up, and lovers of pleasures more than of God' (2 Tim. iii. 2-4).
47. Is every self-love that is not supernatural, vicious and inordinate?
No; there is also a merely natural self-love, by which we may indeed love ourselves, and all that belongs to us, in a lawful manner, but not meritorious to salvation.
'Thus also those who are evil know how to give [through natural love] good gifts to their children' (Luke xi. 13).
