It's Always About the Money.

Idoltry is found in the human heart.  Many people can easily say that they worship God, but if we were to closely examine our hearts, is God truly first?  Some people would put their jobs first.  In this case, they would be worshiping their job.  Anything that is put first (including "backup plans') before God is already worshiping an idol because they have no trust in God. 

In his book entitled Why Enough Is Never Enough: Overcoming Worries About Money - A Catholic Perspective, Gregory S. Jeffrey describes and outlines seven scenerios in which one places money first before God.  

1. When the person often suffers from a pervasive anxiety about their finances. 
2. When the person has a predisposition to compare his or her financial status with others.  
3. When the person has an unwillingness to recognize his or her good fortune. 
4. When the person displays greed. 
5. When the person is unable to conceive of something other than money motivating his or her job performance and life's decisions.
6. When the person has a belief that, just for the money, we must do things we are not called to do. 
7. When the person feels discomfort when asked for alms or donations.

It is interesting to note that in the Old Testament, a tenth of a person's income must be given to the temple tax, but in the New Testament, one finds that Jesus was not interested in the amount of money that was given for the temple tax.  He was more interested in what is in the human heart. 

Mark 12:41-44  And He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury.  Many rich people put in large sums.  And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which makes a penny.  And He called His disciples to Him, and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.  For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living."  

There are several lessons learned in just these few verses. First of all, we see Jesus sitting down opposite of the treasury, as if to purposely study human behavior.  Since he watched the multitude gave their gifts, He was there for a while.  Apparently, Jesus had an interest in money, but it wasn't in whether the temple raised enough to meet its expenses.  Jesus' concern centered on the donor, and what was happening in the heart of the person contributing to the treasury.  Jesus clearly had an interest in the heart of donor and the act of selfless generosity. Does one give money joyously without complaint or does one consistently complain about money he or she has to give to the church?  If you find yourself complaining about the money you are giving or that you are giving it grudgingly, then money has become your god.  Do you believe and trust that God will provide for you just as the Church teaches.  Or do you believe that only you, your money, savings account, and your job is the one that provides?        

A second lesson learned from this few verses is that Jesus is also saying that the poor must also contribute...not just the rich.  When Christ saw the widow pull out two coins, He didn't run to her and say "Excuse me, ma'am.  What are you doing?"  I hope you are not thinking of putting your last two coins in the treasury.  What will you eat tonight?"  Instead, He did the opposite.  He called His disciples and endorsed her behavior, which tells us that even the widow was called to selfless generosity.  God calls everyone to contribute. 

Focusing on the amount. large or small, misses the point of Jesus' message.  Christ is not concern with how much people give, only HOW much they trust in God.  The gift is a reflection of trust.  In making her gift, the widow was trusting in God's providence completely, while the rich had enough in reserve to still rely on their own wherewithal.   

There is nothing wrong with the Archbishop or the parish priest asking their congregation to give to charity.  What is wrong is griping about what or how much the neighbor gives.  One's generosity has nothing to do with the amount the neighbor contributes. It is important for the flock to learn selfless generosity and for the priest to teach selfless generosity to the flock, for this is what God looks for in the heart of the person.  And of course, this takes time.   

There are two characteristics found in people who have put God first in their life rather than money.  First, there is the belief that things will be okay, even in dire situations.  Periodic worry about finances is overshadowed by faith that one's basic needs will be provided by God our Father.  Secondly, this underlying faith animates a spirit of generosity that pervades every aspect of life.