How Much Is Too Much? (Regarding Material Wealth)

[Penny_Plain]

I think some are forgetting what Jesus said to those critical of the woman who poured expensive perfume on His feet. Those critics used similar logic to what I see being used here. Jesus wasn’t impressed.

When it comes to money and chosen poverty, you can only call yourself on the carpet. The church must talk about generosity and the poverty of greed, but specific judgements are only appropriate to oneself. (Or perhaps from one’s spiritual director in advanced cases).

Who is to hold our Church accountable for its financial behaviour?

Or does it enjoy the same immunity there as it does in, say, its personnel decisions?

 

[manualman]

Somebody named GOD. A rather formidable judge too.

If and when we have a holy people in the church, the episcopacy will fully mirror it. When we have a lukewarm flock more interested in doing what they want than what it right, we’ll get likeminded bishops. Infallibillity is only a negative protection. It guarantees we won’t get explicit false teaching. It doesn’t guarantee good leadership or good lesson by example.

 

[Penny_Plain]

Somebody named GOD. A rather formidable judge too.

The name does ring a bell, now that you mention it.

If and when we have a holy people in the church, the episcopacy will fully mirror it.

Yes, yes. Of course. The question in my mind is what we’re going to do in the meantime because I don’t think that we’re ever going to have a holy enough people in the Church to get a fully holy episcopacy.

And, even if we did have a fully holy episcopacy (whatever that means), it still doesn’t mean they’d be good money managers. Take Francis of Assisi. Holy man. Great guy. Do you want him managing your mutual fund?

 

[E.E.N.S]

… Take Francis of Assisi. Holy man. Great guy. Do you want him managing your mutual fund?

Maybe not, but I would most certainly like him to manage my soul.