Father Orthoduck admits it. This is Lent and the time for admitting things. And, despite all the warning about the love of money being the root of all evils (For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.) yet, Father Orthoduck admits to having an envious eye sometimes. He wonders what it would be like to be able to decide to go somewhere and fly there first class. He wonders what it would be like to live in a big house with enough room for everything and for guests to come and stay. He wonders . . . Well you get the idea. In fact, Father Orthoduck knows well that pull of money for he feels it in his own flesh. In fact, he remembers a sermon preached by a Peruvian pastor who said that the three greatest temptations for a pastor are, “fama, faldas y finanzas.” That can be translated as, “fame, females, and finances. (The word faldas actually means skirts.)
Nevertheless, the quote below is from St. John Chrysostom:
In the matter of piety, poverty serves us better than wealth, and work better than idleness, especially since wealth becomes an obstacle even for those who do not devote themselves to it. Yet, when we must put aside our wrath, quench our envy, soften our anger, offer our prayers, and show a disposition which is reasonable, mild, kindly, and loving, how could poverty stand in our way? For we accomplish these things not by spending money but by making the correct choice. Almsgiving above all else requires money, but even this shines with a brighter luster when the alms are given from our poverty. The widow who paid in the two mites was poorer than any human, but she outdid them all.
Father Orthoduck leaves you with the video below, and hopes that you will have a good laugh and walk on this Lent, growing in giving and in your appreciation of your being not-rich.
But Reb Tevye, don’t you know that money is a curse?
May the Lord smite me with it! And may I never recover!