In this season of Lent, Mother Church teaches us that we should pray, fast and give alms.
In other words, in these 40 days we need to increase our connection to God, deny ourselves as a way to show we only need God alone – and – give more charity.
Charity is love. And we must love one another. Therefore, we must be charitable to one another as well.
So how in the world do wealthy people live with themselves? Shouldn’t they be giving away their money? Is it a sin to have money in the bank?
The answer, of course, is no. While there are many great virtues to living a life of poverty, there are also many examples of wealthy individuals whose charity helped build our churches, sustain our parishes and help our Church feed, house and care for the poor – all over the world.
Thomas Merton, in one of his books, once wrote about the disdain he felt when visitors to the Trappist monastery would join the monks for a meal. What right do they have to be at the table, he would ponder as a young monk; shouldn’t we instead invite the poor and needy?
In time, Merton came to realize that men are not defined by the numbers in their bank accounts. And these very men were among those who helped sustain the facilities Merton and his brother monks used for their mission to pray for the world.
In our adult faith formation ministry at our suburban parish, the topic of wealth is often raised in group discussion. Highly successful people, corporate CEO’s, business owners – they often struggle with the question: Do I give enough?
Our Gospel today addresses this in an interesting way. In short, Jesus tells us: Give, and you will receive much more. A lot more!
Wait … I’m already feeling guilty about my abundance of wealth, and you’re telling me that if I give some away, I will get more in return?
“Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
There you have it. Successful people who tithe to the Church, to charities or to the needy within their own circle of life, are bound to receive even more in return.
Not just more … but an overflowing abundance of more.
One of my favorite pastors long ago used to make this part of his homily when the “dreaded money talk” had to be made each year.
Making eye contact with those in the Church, he would lean toward them and say something like this:
“Look, I know it seems difficult, but I promise you … if you tithe to the Church, I guarantee – GUARANTEE – that God will give it back to you by the end of the year.”
And he did not stop there.
“I am so certain of this … if you do this and you do NOT get that returned, I will give you your money back. Guaranteed.”
I never knew how well this appeal worked.
But … the parish has never stopped growing; and it now includes a free-standing medical clinic for the poor, un-insured and under-insured … right next door to the free food pantry.
So, the doctors and lawyers and CEOs of that parish – any parish – have no doubt stepped up to help build a house where God can do His work through his people.
And no doubt, they continue to be successful in their work.
How much are they giving back to God?
Well, that’s between them.
But the formula works. If you have not tried it, this Lenten season is the perfect time to do so.
Guaranteed!
