The Church is always asking for money! And with good reason. Jesus keeps bringing the subject up. Sometimes He is approached by someone with an urgent moral question. The rich young man: What do I need to be perfect? Peter: How often must I forgive my brother who sins against me, seven times? Jesus responds with an overwhelming call to total generosity: Give up everything you have, forgive without limit (in biblical terms, seven times 70). More often, however, it is Jesus Himself who raises the question about what we do with our material and spiritual gifts – for all that we have is ultimately a gift from God.

It may come as a surprise, but Jesus talks about money more than He does of heaven and hell together. In fact, more than any other topic except for the Kingdom of God! Eleven out of 39 parables talk about material wealth (money, treasures, etc.). The word for “money” is actually associated with Jesus some 25 times over the four Gospels. Contrary to many of the “wealth and prosperity” preachers that fill the airwaves – and perhaps their own pockets – Jesus addresses the money issue with one consistent theme: Let go of it and let the Lord be our rock of security. This goes for us as individuals, and it goes for the Church.

Wealth and possessions tend to become distractions and preoccupations from our spiritual life. If this be so, then money is not only an issue for “rich” people who may have a lot, but for everyone who must manage money, including administrators of their own and other people’s money. It might even be said that those who do not have money can be corrupted by it – through envy or resentment or a vulnerability to “get rich quick” schemes, gambling and lotteries. If money is “the root of all evil,” then we do not want to hold onto it too tightly, especially when Jesus Himself urges us to get rid of it.

The argument above, however, is hardly effective if ever the Church be perceived as a symbol of wealth. In other words, the Gospel is compromised whenever the Church appears to preach from a position of wealth or worldly power. No wonder the poverty of St. Francis of Assisi and Mother Teresa remains so compelling. Each of them, however, has inspired millions of other persons to follow their example. Which means, no doubt, that they have inspired the giving of millions of dollars to assist those in need, sometimes one-to-one, but often through the organizations through which their good works continue – and through which much wealth is and must be transferred.

Both the universal and local churches seek to perform the corporal works of mercy through organized efforts, often on a very large scale. Recent responses to the emergencies created by Hurricane Sandy come to mind. Our own Diocese of Brooklyn was able to assist not only because of its ability to coordinate relief resources but also because of the generosity of so many individuals who respond to its appeals. The Annual Catholic Appeal is one of the most important ways in which the local church can channel funds from generous hands to empty hands, where the planter and the reaper can come together. We urge every one of our readers to give generously to this year’s appeal, remembering that it is the Lord Himself who connects our giving patterns with our spiritual well-being.

One further consideration: A Church which becomes the beneficiary of its own charitable endeavors needs to be reformed or it will not long be able to sustain its mission. The Church does not exist to grow its own wealth and power but rather to serve others. That is why the transparency and integrity of our financial operations is crucial to our mission. A word of thanks to those who serve as volunteers in parish and diocesan finance councils is in order. We hope that every one of the faithful will enjoy the spiritual enrichment that flows from giving, as the Lord asks us to, for the spiritual and corporal needs of our sisters and brothers.