Jesus taught that the religious leaders of His time devoured "the savings of widows" (Mk 12:40). Then He commended a poor widow for giving to the temple treasury more than her life savings. She gave "all that she had to live on" (Mk 12:44).

Even in the midst of the stinginess and selfishness of many in our culture of death, the Lord has inspired many others to give their whole lives to the Lord and His Church. However, the great sacrifices and gifts made and given to the Church may be tragically wasted or not used wisely — in rare cases because of theft, sometimes because of mismanagement, and often because of lack of vision. It may well be that some members of the Church don't know how God wants them to manage our sacrificial giving. Nevertheless, the Lord will take the gift of our lives, as symbolized by gifts of money and time, and multiply our total surrender to His will so as to make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19) and to feed the multitudes, both physically and spiritually.

Therefore, give all to God's work. Give as wisely as you can, but realize that you are giving primarily to God and only secondarily to other people. Jesus is watching you put your life in the collection basket (see Mk 12:41). Please Him.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, November 28, 1998

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 1, 1998