Making and Spending Money

I was just recently greeted by a friend that 2012 will be a lucky year for me because it is the year of the water dragon. I am not sure how but there are lots of people who will believe that 2012 indeed will be a lucky year. My guess, next year will be another year where we will chase money more than ever. Our growing needs and wants will not stop and so our quest for more money will continue to drive us to work harder and work longer.

“It is mine; I worked for it; I can do what I like with it!” These are common expressions for many of us. What we may not realize is that there is no sense for anything to be considered “mine” as it does not make any sense to speak of “me” owning “myself” or ”my bodily powers.” We live and exist using the resources of this world, food, air, water, etc. (which are “owned” by God). Moreover, my human labour would not be able to produce anything unless it made use of the goods of the earth (which are still “owned” by God).

So as not to be deceived, we need to understand the proper attitude towards money. It is anyway a blessing that God wants us to have and enjoy. Fr. Michael T. Ryan in the book “The Social Attitudes of Catholics” suggests the following which I find very practical:

First, we need to realize that making money is proper and even required so that we can carry out our particular role in God’s world. This is the principle of involvement. The amount of money we make will vary to our role. The more roles we have on this world, the more money we need to make to carry out those roles. Mt. 25:29 - For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.

Second, we must see ourselves as stewards of what we possess rather than absolute owners. We are accountable to God who is the source of all our blessings and to others for how we use or spend our money and possessions. This is the principle of accountability. Mt. 25:19 - After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them

Third, we need to cultivate a spirit of detachment. Money can easily steal our hearts. It destroys relationship and fosters wrong sense of hope and confidence. This is the principle of detachment. The best remedy against these is to practice generosity. 1Tim. 6:10 - For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Fourth, as followers of Christ, we are called to be witnesses. Our use of money and possessions should witness to the gospel values, our belief in eternal life and our awareness that the poor of this world are our brothers and sisters. This is the principle of witnessing. Ac 2:4-5 - They made it their practice to sell their possessions and goods and to distribute the proceeds to anyone who was in need.

It is true that our attitude towards money is the final barometer of Christian maturity. We can argue on so many terminologies and technicalities on how we deal with the money God has blessed us with. In the end, we will be measured by the same standard we use on how we earn and spend our money. The question is – will we measure up?