Reality Check

SCRIPTURE READINGS

REFLECTIONS

Humanity's constant tug-of-war between right faith and wrong faith lies at the center of the entire Bible. From Abram to Moses, from the prophets to Jesus and the people around him, there was never any question that "gods" affected their lives. Instead, the question for them was always: "Which god do we serve?"

We're caught in the same tug-of-war today. All sorts of "gods" surround us. Although most don't go by that name, they still perform the functions of gods. In North America, a big and almost completely convincing "god" demands that we own ever more things by telling us we must have the newest and best of everything and keep up with the Joneses. We don't often ask whether this "god" is worth all the effort we set before its altar.

Yet the Bible insists that only one God merits our loyalty. Jesus teaches that we can only serve one master and that if we choose God (as we really ought to do) then we cannot also choose money. Does this mean that everyone has to live as St. Francis did, owning nothing and begging in order to meet basic needs? For a certain few people, radical poverty is the answer, but everyone does have to keep money in perspective. Jesus teaches that we must use all our resources, especially our wealth, to serve and worship the God of Abram, Moses and the prophets. To forget this truth is to fall into idolatry, to commit the Bible's first, most troublesome, most dangerous sin.

You can't serve both God and money (Luke 16:16, adapted).

FAITH SHARING

• Make a household inventory of the things your family owns. Talk about what's on the list and distinguish between what's really needed as opposed to stuff that's just around. An alternate, quicker way to consider the same realities: Review the family's monthly expenses, asking, "Are we spending our money wisely, in ways that express what we believe?"
• Consider letting go the things and expenses that aren't needed. Collect all the clutter and donate items or cash to charity. Celebrate what you're doing, perhaps by having a "clear out the attic" party. Pray to thank God, now and at mealtimes, for life and all the necessities with which you are blessed.
• Commit family time and energy to a poverty relief project. As you work, continue to thank God, who bestows all wealth.

FAMILY DISCUSSION

• What do I need? What do I want? What's the difference? What's the right balance for our family?
• How can we use our wealth to serve God? What are we already doing well? How can we improve?
• Who is our God, and what does our God want from us?