One of the anecdotes that gets trucked out when churches ask for money describes someone who has died and approaches the pearly gates with great expectations. The deceased sees St. Peter standing sentry, and immediately launches in on a list of their virtues. On and on they go, including every good deed, every generous thought. Finally, St. Peter has had enough. “I don’t need to hear any of this,” he says. “Just show me your bank statement and I will have all the information I need.”

            We are often reminded that the subjects of money, possessions, and allocation of resources are mentioned twice as much as any other topics in Scripture. One third of Jesus’ parables have something to do with making right use of our gifts—all of them, financial and otherwise. And “right use,” in biblical terms, is always connected to our trust and faith in God as well as our commitment to justice and support both of those we love and those among us who struggle….

In her book Illuminated Life: Monastic Wisdom for Seekers of Light, Benedictine author and contemplative Joan Chittister works through an alphabet of words meant to open up reflection on holy living day to day. Each short meditation offers a word, followed by a story from the Desert Fathers and Mothers, followed by an application of the word and the story to modernity….