St. Paul says that ‘the love of money is the root of all evil.’ How can we approach wealth as a disciple of Jesus?
In the book of Proverbs, the sacred author writes, “The just man’s recompense leads to life; The wicked man’s gains lead to sin” (Proverbs 10:16). There is a twofold effect as a man acquires money: (1) He becomes richer. (2) His moral character is formed by his choices and activities.
When a man engages in meaningful labor in the service of the common good of society, his earnings “lead to life.” Because he is not working for the sake of money, but rather for the betterment of society and human flourishing, his wealth serves to increase his capacity to foster a good life for himself and others. Justice is classically defined as “giving to each what is due.” By his just labor, he grows in the virtue of justice and becomes increasingly inclined to use his personal wealth in a just and charitable fashion.
If, on the other hand, one’s acquisition of wealth occurs in a disordered fashion (either by seeking wealth as an end in itself or by using immoral means to acquire wealth), then the act of acquiring wealth degrades man’s moral character, since he has valued money over justice. Wealth acquired in an unjust way increases the unjust man’s capacity to continue his unjust activities. Rarely does a man living unjustly acknowledge to himself his lack of justice, but he rather excuses the unjust action by calling it necessary for some ulterior reason.
So be attentive in how you acquire wealth! To maximize justice, consider how your job improves the lives of others and work motivated by that ideal. Be attentive to investments you make; decide not only based on anticipated financial returns, but also on the mission of the company. Be honest in business dealings and careful to avoid supporting businesses or activities that degrade human life and dignity. In our state, businesses associated with gambling and recreational drug consumption have grown rapidly in the past five years. These industries and activities can be alluring due to their accessibility and promise of financial success. Yet neither serves to advance the dignity and true well-being of their clients, so those seeking easy profit risk doing so at the expense of their obligation to work toward a virtuous and just society.
The world may be more complex than when the Book of Proverbs was written, yet the principles hold true. The unbridled pursuit of wealth will not make for a better world, but resources well-spent can do much good to alleviate suffering and foster justice. That is a legacy well worth pursuing!
Father Charlie Archer is associate pastor of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.
