For the proper use of wealth
Let us pray for the proper use of wealth. May all people of means use it to build God’s kingdom, for the common good and to lift people out of poverty.
All three synoptic Gospels tell us about an encounter Jesus has with a rich young man who asks Jesus what he must do to have eternal life. The following verse best captures the exchange between them:
“And Jesus, looking upon him, loved him, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing; go sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow me’” (Mark 10:21).
Jesus looks on him with love. He offers a huge challenge, but it does not come from a place of envy or contempt. Out of love he tells him to give his possessions to the poor so he can gain eternal life.
Jesus challenges us to use our wealth and resources for greater good because he loves us and is for us. We share our resources with the poor, with Catholic ministries, and with our parish out of a response to God’s love and goodness to us.
Jesus tells the rich young man to give his money to the poor, and then he makes an astonishing statement. He tells him, “you will have treasure in heaven.” When we give, we are not losing our money; we are transferring it. It is a paradox of the kingdom: in giving we receive. Jesus teaches us to give and bless others financially because ultimately it doesn’t pay to be selfish.
We pray for the grace to use our means to give as Jesus calls us to give. Giving is a proper use of wealth for both the giver and for those who benefit from the gift.
By Tom Corcoran
Tom Corcoran
Tom is the Co-Founder of Rebuilt Parish and the co-author of Jesus, the Rich Young Man and the Meaning of Life.