From the vantage point of eternity, the most important financial decision you will make during your lifetime will be to recognize that all you have comes from God, and that He is sovereign over all things. During our life on earth, He entrusts us with the use of resources and asks us to manage them in accord with His holy will.
The Common Stewardship of Mankind
Consider the following references from Scripture and the Catechism:
• Deuteronomy 10:14: “Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of the heavens, the earth with all that is in it.”
• 1 Chronicles 29: 11-12: “Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all.”
• Psalm 24:1: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness therof.”
• Psalm 50:10-12: “For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is Mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world and all that is in it is Mine.”
• Catechism 2402: “In the beginning God entrusted the earth and its resources to the common stewardship of mankind to take care of them, master them by labor, and enjoy their fruits.”
• Catechism 2403: “The right to private property, acquired by work or received from others by inheritance or gift, does not do away with the original gift of the earth to the whole of mankind. The universal destination of goods remains primordial, even if the promotion of the common good requires respect for the right to private property and its exercise.”
• Catechism 2404: “In his use of things man should regard the external goods he legitimately owns not merely as exclusive to himself, but common to others also, in the sense that they can benefit others as well as himself. The ownership of any property makes its holder a steward of Providence, with the task of making it fruitful and communicating its benefits to others, first of all his family.”
Trusting in God’s Providence
When we recognize that God is sovereign over all that we have and accept the role of steward, we find that our attitude toward money changes. Instead of the self-seeking that is so prevalent in our society and which leads many people into financial and spiritual deserts, we use the gifts we have been given for the well-being of our family, those close to us, as well as the greater good of mankind.
Another key aspect of transforming our attitude toward finances is in learning to trust God as Father and provider. In the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord says, “Stop worrying, then, over questions like, ‘What are we to eat, or what are we to drink, or what are we to wear?’ The unbelievers are always running after these things. Your heavenly Father knows all that you need. Seek first His kingship over you, His way of holiness and all these things will be given you besides” (Mt 6:31–33).
The key word in this passage is “heavenly Father.” We have a Father in heaven Who loves us so much that He gave His only Son for our redemption (Jn 3:16). His desire is for us to trust completely in Him as beloved children.
Our society has made incredible advances in science and technology over the last several decades, and these are good when used in ways consistent with God’s plan. However, one drawback is we can begin to believe that we are in control of everything, and, as a result, forget to trust in God. The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World of the Second Vatican Council states it this way: “Today, particularly by means of science and technology, [man] has extended his mastery over almost the whole of nature, and still continues to extend it…. As a result, where formerly man looked especially to supernatural forces for blessings, he now secures many of these benefits himself, thanks to his own efforts.”
Remembering Our Dependency
It’s easy to see how this issue of control can influence our attitude toward money. We begin to believe that we are in complete control and are not dependent upon God for our daily sustenance. We can also forget to give thanks daily for His provision.
One of the great accounts of Divine Providence in the Old Testament is the story of Elijah and the widow (1 Kgs 17:7–16).
After some time, however, the brook ran dry, because no rain had fallen in the land. So the Lord said to him: “Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have designated a widow there to provide for you.” He left and went to Zarephath.
As he arrived at the entrance of the city, a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her, “Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink.” She left to get it, and he called out after her, “Please bring along a bit of bread.” “As the Lord, your God, lives,” she answered, “I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.” “Do not be afraid,” Elijah said to her. “Go and do as you propose. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son. For the Lord, the God of Israel, says, 'The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the Lord had foretold through Elijah.
What heroic faith this widow had. We are called to this same faith, knowing that our heavenly Father will provide for our needs.
God love you.
Phil Lenahan is Director of Media and Finance at Catholic Answers and author of Catholic Answers’ Guide to Family Finances. If you have a question you would like Phil to address, contact him at plenahan@catholic.com.
This article originally appeared in the National Catholic Register and is used by permission of the author.
