money talks
"She, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood." —Luke 21:4, NAB revised
Jesus commended the widow who put two copper coins into the temple treasury because in so doing she gave her whole life. This is the exact translation of Luke 21:4. The widow's two coins were not just all her money but a true symbol of her whole life. The widow's offering was a statement concerning her total love for God.
People in the world use their money to make the statement that money is important and so are they. Do you give money to make the statement that money is of little importance (Lk 16:10) and God is of extreme importance? When you give alms, what kind of statement are you making? When you give from your surplus, are you saying God deserves only the leftovers? Do you give sacrificially, even totally? Only this kind of giving truly makes the statement that Jesus is Savior, Lord, and God.
"Money talks," or, more precisely, we talk through the use of our money. Money speaks louder than words; that is, the use of our money more than the words we say gives others accurate information about what we believe, for "wherever your treasure lies, there your heart will be" (Lk 12:34). Your money is telling all your secrets, for "the love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Tm 6:10). You can't keep your money from shouting. So give your life to Jesus. Then your money will shout: "Jesus is Lord!"
Prayer: Father, may my finances be so much in Your will that others will laugh at me but later repent (see Lk 16:14).
Promise: "They are pure and follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been ransomed as the first fruit of mankind for God and the Lamb. On their lips no deceit has been found; they are indeed without flaw." —Rv 14:4-5
Praise: Fr. Peter gave his life to Jesus in his priestly vocation, dying in his vestments just after saying Mass.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our booklet, The Bible on Money.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 2, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 3, 1996