I don't mean to brag, but I have always thought that Thea and I have been very responsible with our money. Beginning at age 30 we began to save for our retirement. We have always tithed our income, giving 10% to the church and to various charities (OK, so it was 10% AFTER taxes most years, but nobody's perfect!). We have always lived below our means, living in a good, but not great, house...driving bottom-of-the-line, but reliable cars...paying for our children's college and helping with their graduate school. Our house is paid for, and we have no debts. I really thought that, at least in this one area of our lives, we were meeting God's expectations for us.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, came the homily...Father Michael, again. He spoke about money and its role in our lives. The purpose of money, he stated, was to do good in the world, to further God's kingdom on earth. We are to use our resources, not solely for our own needs and desires, but also for the needs of others. He challenged each of us to review how we use our money and to ask ourselves if we were using it wisely and justly.
As I left Mass that morning, I remember feeling uneasy. I began thinking about the rather extravagant trips that Thea and I have taken over the years. Not that they were bad in and of themselves, but was spending thousands of dollars to take our children and ourselves to Egypt really the best use of our money? More importantly, I realized that my philosopy of money was simple: I was making a deal with God. Lord, I am giving you this 10% for Your purposes, but I get to do what I want with the remaining 90%." In reflecting on Father Michael's challenge, my attitude sounded a lot like that of the Pharasees: I am following the letter of the law, but at times my heart is far from God.
In my last blog I wrote about the questions that Thea had put in her spiritual exercise for us, the ones about "What would we remember about St. Francis Inn a year from now" and "How had the SFI experience changed us?". Well, her third question was "What is God saying to us about the use of our money?" As I reflected on this, I realized that God is asking Thea and me to be more prudent and thoughtful about how we are using our money. Thea felt the same way, and during our sharing on the retreat we resolved to look at ALL of our money (not just 10%) as a gift from God. When you think about it, everything we have, beginning with life itself, is a gift from God, and that includes all of our money.
I am not sure how this all will play out in practical terms, especially when we return to Hickory. Clearly, money is to be used for many necessities. We all must have food, clothes, gas for the car, electricity, water, and the like. We also should use some money for our own pleasure. Interestingly, earlier this week, I had the occasion to spend 3 hours doing food pick-ups with Fr. Michael. When I related the effect that his homily had had upon Thea and me, his first reaction was "Remember, you should begin by using some of your money for yourselves." So, Father Michael is not suggesting that we give everything away and live life on the streets. In fact he is saying that the FIRST thing we should do with our money is to take care of our own needs and fulfillment.
However, we still are left with the challenge of how best to spend our money in a balanced, thoughful way. One thing that Thea and I have resolved to do is to look carefully at our world travel and to have a "spritual" and a "charitable" component to all major trips. For instance, we have always wanted to go to Bolivia and to Lake Titicaca. We had planned to fly to Lima, take the train to the Bolivian border, book a tour of the Lake, and return home. Our initial plan included staying in nice hotels, eating good food, and being "upper middle class" tourists.
Now, we are considering the option of visiting Father Ignatius, a Franciscan friar who has a mission in Cochabamba, Bolivia, and spending a week doing service with him. During our time, we would look for a small project that needs a financial donation and before leaving, make that gift. Then, we would do a side trip to Lake Titicaca, be tourists for a few days, and return home.
Will we actually do this? Only time will tell, but Thea and I do believe that we must be more thoughtful and just in how we utilize the financial gifts we have recieved. Please pray for us that we will make just, balanced decisions that will further God's Kingdom.
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