Jesus tells his followers today:

“Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

Greed is a vice that is often overlooked or hurriedly justified in our modern context. We replace the word greed with words like “security” or “well-planned” or “financially responsible.” But what is at the core of most of our attitudes towards money?

It is a fundamental lie. The lie that, if I have enough money, I will ultimately be safe, safe from sickness, safe from loneliness, safe even from death. But the challenging and liberating message of the Gospel is that we are invited to follow the poor, homeless Jesus to the Cross, the place of death. And there, of all places, we receive life.

“Rich in what matters to God”

Jesus challenges us to be “rich in what matters to God.” To make sure that even, and especially, our money is used for others rather than for our own greed. When is the last time you took a look at how much you give to charity each month or year? Oftentimes we put charitable giving at the end our list, once we have taken care of every other need or want, once we have purchased everything on our Amazon wish list and renewed every streaming video subscription and eaten at our favorite restaurants, then what is leftover will be given to God and the poor. Where is charity in your budget?

This week our mission is to get intentional about giving. Knowing that some people are barely squeezing by in this crazy post-hurricane world we live in, we are not asking for a dollar amount.

But if we are consistently asked by Scripture to give 10% of our income, even if that 10% is five dollars, we can be intentional about giving that five dollars. If you are a parishioner of St. Dominic—if this is your faith family, your spiritual home—then I would ask you to be intentional and generous about giving to the parish.

Continue to seek to follow Jesus

We support, through the Sunday collection, different charitable organizations in our community and beyond, so your stewardship of money allows us to reach people with the Gospel and to help many of the poor in the world. I would also recommend that you consider giving electronically to the Church. It is something that I do and is very helpful for me to be intentional and consistent in my tithe.

As we continue to seek to follow Jesus as His disciples, may this week’s message and mission challenge us to guard against all greed and to become rich in what matters to God.

God bless you and your family!