Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church (Memorial)
The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones. (Luke 16:10)
If we read these words in the context of today’s whole Gospel passage, we can see that Jesus considers money to be a very small matter. We may find that difficult to swallow. What about those of us who struggle every day to make ends meet? Does this mean that Jesus is telling us to stop working on our financial situation? That may be okay for someone like St. Francis of Assisi, but those of us who have to earn a living need to take a more aggressive approach!
Actually, Jesus does want to speak these words to everyone. He isn’t suggesting that we all take a vow of poverty, but he does want us to take a close look at our perspective on money. He wants us to see that in itself, money is neither the worst thing in the world nor a trivial matter to be ignored. He is telling us that money is simply secondary when compared to our essential purpose, which is to give glory to God and to help other people come to know Jesus personally.
In a practical sense, this means that money fits into the bigger picture of Christian living. As with anything else that God gives us, money is something we can use as a means to a greater end. By being careful in our spending and saving habits, we can use it as a tool to glorify the Lord. We are more free to donate to organizations that build his kingdom. At the same time, by guarding against the temptation to value money too much, we don’t let it become a snare that can draw us away from Jesus.
If you’re currently facing financial hardship, know that Jesus is with you and wants to help guide you and ease your anxieties. Think of the many ways he has cared for you in the past. Picture him on the cross, and recall his unending love for you. Know that he will never forsake you. Let his peace fill your heart, and don’t worry about tomorrow—he will be there to help you, just as he is today.
“Lord, help me to manage my finances wisely. Free me from anxiety about my future, and help me to give generously to the needy.”
Philippians 4:10-19
Psalm 112:1-2, 5-6, 8-9
Saint Clement of Alexandria (150- c.215)
theologian
Sermon « What rich man can be saved? », § 31-32
"Make friends for yourselves"
“Whoever gives a cup of cold water to drink to one of my disciples in the name of a disciple, shall not lose his reward” (Mt 10,42). This is the only reward that is not lost. And again: “Make for yourself friends with dishonest gain so that, when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations” The property we possess is not for the use of ourselves alone, but with the gain that is unjust we can work something just and life-giving and refresh one of those whom the Father has destined for his everlasting habitations... How admirable is the apostle Paul's saying: “The Lord loves a cheerful giver” (2Cor 9,7), someone who delights in giving alms, sowing lavishly so that he may also reap abundantly, and who shares without murmuring, hesitation or regret... But even better than this is the saying spoken by the Lord in another place: “Give to every one that asks you” (Lk 6,30)...
Consider, then, the splendid reward for your liberality: an everlasting habitation! O excellent trade! O divine commerce! You purchase immortality for money and, by donating the empty things of the world, receive in exchange an eternal mansion in heaven! So then, you rich who have wisdom, apply yourselves to this business... Why let yourselves be transfixed by diamonds and emeralds, by houses that fire devours, time destroys, or earthquakes throw down? Aspire for nothing other than to dwell in the heavens, and reign with God. A mere man, a beggar will gain you this kingdom... The Lord did not say: “Give, be generous and bountiful, help your brothers” but: “Make friends for yourselves”. Friendship comes about not by one gift, but by long intimacy. For neither faith, nor charity nor patience are the work of one day, but “he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Mt 10,22).