Wealth for God?

[scameter18]

I have been considering my future lately, and one idea came to mind that I am curious about. Would it be permissable for a Catholic to study business, try to make as much money as he possibly can (ethically of course), and then either use it for his family or give it away to charity and the Church? Essentially, get rich with the entire purpose of using it for charity? And, as a secondary question, what sort of career would involve establishing various charitable organizations of all kinds? Thanks for the help.

 

[grandfather]

I have been considering my future lately, and one idea came to mind that I am curious about. Would it be permissable for a Catholic to study business, try to make as much money as he possibly can (ethically of course), and then either use it for his family or give it away to charity and the Church? Essentially, get rich with the entire purpose of using it for charity? And, as a secondary question, what sort of career would involve establishing various charitable organizations of all kinds? Thanks for the help.

Many people, Catholic and others, spend their lives accumulating money and then giving it away. God does not need money to accomplish His purposes. He does use people willing to cooperate with His grace and also at times uses people who are against Him to accomplish His purposes. Herod and Pharoah come to mind.

 

[scameter18]

True. Thank you for your reply.

 

[budgie2]

Why would I want to get rich to give my money away? I think that would be a temptation. I can expect to earn a reasonable income say middle income or average income to look after my family. Some people get rich dishonestly by paying low wages or by trampling over other people at work to get to the top. If you’re honest you’re less likely to get rich but can still respected at work.

 

[DebChris]

One thing that you can do is take business courses that will lead you into a career in the non-profit sector. Here object is not making a lot of money, but using running the business end of the company geared toward service. You also could learn grant writing, finding the funds to provide for the various service organizations.
There are a number of saints who having money used that money to provide for family members while they themselves entered religious life. Katherine Drexel wondered who would provide for the needs of Native Americans in poverty. The Lord placed it on her heart to use her own money for this purpose.

 

[LilyM]

I don’t think it’s wrong at all. As long, as you’ve said, as you don’t adopt unethical or immoral practices in the making of said pile o’ cash -that would kinda defeat the purpose.

And as long as you don’t let the pursuit of money detract from other areas of your life - don’t let it lead you to neglect your family responsibilities or lead you to think you need not do the corporal or spiritual works of mercy or anything of that nature.