Prosperity and Trust

St. Alphonsus Liguori was known for his unconventional statements. He once remarked, “In building, we need not act as worldly people do. They first procure money, and then proceed to build. But we do the opposite. We begin to build and then as we go along we trust divine Providence to provide what is necessary.” Of course, anyone who uses that approach without having a trust in God that is exceptional and rock solid will soon become bankrupt.

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini once remarked, “I have started community houses with no more than prayer and the price of a loaf of bread, for with him who comforts and supports me, I can do anything.” Her astonishing outreach in helping the poor is regarded today as legendary, as was her trust in the Lord.

If we have little, we can trust God to prosper us, as long as our basic desire is to help others. In effect, this is the basic principle of stewardship, which Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 9:6-10, namely, God will give you much so that you can give away much:

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion. (emphasis mine)

A common misquotation from Scripture states that “money is the root of all evil.” Paul does not say that money is the root of all evil, but rather that “love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Tm 6:10, emphasis mine). Love of money is the sin of avarice. The opposite is the virtue of generosity. “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” (1 Jn 3:17). By trusting God, you can afford to be generous. Trusting him to supply your needs in order to supply others’ needs is simply trusting him to trust you as his emissary to share his wealth.

This excerpt is from the book Pathways of Trust, by John H. Hampsch,C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.