Faith, Works, and a better idea

[2ndRateMind]

Hmmm. Seems to me that $10-15 billion is a lot of money, and could be used advantageously for the poor. But I would agree with you, that given the scale of the challenge,1.2 billion or so absolutely poor, (living on less than $1.75 per day), it won’t go very far. I just think that judicious investments, such as planting fruit and nut trees, microfinance, or student loans, could serve both the Church and the poor well.

Best wishes, 2RM.

 

[Dobereiner]

I haven’t personally looked into it, but given that a lot of dioceses in my country run up heavy annual losses, I imagine a large percentage of the Church’s net worth is tied up in its property rather than in liquid assets. So to get that money “out there” to the poor, church buildings would have to be sold and so forth.

 

[stoplooklisten]

“He that it the greatest among you will be your servant” (Matthew 23:11)

“All the dead were judged according to their works” (Revelation 20:13)

“Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19)

“…equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:17)

Not only should be concerned about getting ourselves “saved” but we should be concerned about bearing fruit and who will be greatest and least in the kingdom of heaven.

“He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.” (John 15:2)

 

[2ndRateMind]

Not only should be concerned about getting ourselves “saved” but we should be concerned about bearing fruit and who will be greatest and least in the kingdom of heaven.

I kind of agree with your comment, but I would say we should be able, if we want true freedom, to look on ‘death or glory’, hell or heaven, stick or carrot, with equal equanimity, and do the right thing, anyway.

To be sure:

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them*

But I think we should not forget the plight of the widow, and her two mites, either. (See the OP). Particularly in these days of crowd funding for social enterprises.

As for who should be the greatest or least in the kingdom of heaven, that decision is really not our concern, as Jesus admonished His disciples.** Just concentrate on leaving the world a better place for all our children, and all theirs, and you will not go far wrong. And if we all did that, to the best of our abilities, interests and talents, then, why, we might even end up with a better world for ourselves.

Best wishes, 2RM.

*Matthew 7:20 KJV
**Mark 9:33-35 KJV