Final answer:
Augustine believed in a temperate and modest attitude towards earthly goods, advocating for the use of material possessions for the common good and spiritual endeavors, not as ends in themselves. True liberty, according to him, comes from willingly choosing the good and living humbly while using nature to better life in conformity with God's plan.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Augustine, the proper attitude towards earthly goods should be one of temperance and moderation. In his work The City of God, Augustine promotes the idea of living modestly and prioritizing spiritual wealth over material wealth. He suggests that the earthly city, which is imperfect, should not distract individuals from their ultimate goal of reaching the heavenly city, and that material possessions should be used for the benefit of others to manifest one's gratitude for the bounties provided by God.
Earthly goods, according to Augustine, are not inherently evil, as all of creation is deemed good because it is made by God. However, these goods should not lead to sinfulness or become an end in themselves. Instead, they should be seen as tools to help individuals and communities flourish, and when possible, to aid in the pursuit of spiritual objectives. Wealthy individuals have a duty to use their resources to help others and set examples of humble living.
Moreover, Augustine contends that true liberty involves using one's free will to choose the good and that rationality allows humans to utilize nature for the enhancement of life while still conforming to a divine plan. Consequently, charity and the proper use of wealth should stem from an individual's free will and desire to do good, inspired by divine grace.