Question:
If one’s gift or talent is making money, and one uses that money for honorable purposes, is it considered a spiritual gift? What does our faith teach us about wealth and stewardship?
Answer:
Jesus said it best: to whom much is given, much is expected. All gifts come from God, and our abilities are given to us to be used for the benefit of ourselves and of others and at the service of the Gospel. In an article entitled “The Many Faces of Stewardship,” Catherine Doherty wrote about stewardship in the “nitty-gritty everydayness of my life,” and about the currency or “money” of spiritual stewardship: love, understanding, and unselfishness.
For a gift to have a spiritual benefit, our intention and involvement would be part of the consideration. If I give money to a charity, but do so in order to gain a tax advantage, it could hardly be a virtuous thing on my part. But if I give because I want to help and, in fact, am even willing to get involved, I have committed myself in a deeper, more meaningful way. Regardless of our money-making talents, in the end, true stewardship comes down to how well we practice the virtues of faith, hope, and love within our life and with those in our community and church. Ultimately, the most important element in stewardship is not intangible—it’s you!
© LPI