The Flip Side of Last Week's Post on Being Frugal
Last week's post on being frugal may have left a wrong impression, specifically, the following thought:
But in the case of living frugally for the purpose of having more to give to those in need, there may be a hidden danger. Even as we bite the bullet and turn ourselves - whether slowly, slightly, or full bore - away from our natural desire for creature comforts, we don't want to replace our piling up of stuff with a piling up of sanctity. This may apply especially to those who, upon embracing a goal or objective, throw themselves into the accomplishment of it fully and freely. Nothing stands in the way of grabbing that gold ring.
Indeed, grasping for God's gracious charity should strike us as being a lot better than grasping for the murky muck of mammon. But while charity remains fundamentally and critically central to our spiritual development, we don't want to now obsess over what it may get us in the end, do we? Doesn't that attitude towards the acquisition of spiritual wealth strike you as just as self-centered as pursuing material wealth? So how do we properly approach our endeavor to live frugally in order to help others, such that we're not so focused on ourselves? St. Therese of Lisieux has some suggestions here:
Recently, we've read about spectacular donations by rich people to what they consider good causes. They get all the press, and therefore all the adulation. (Click HERE for one example.) Let's prayerfully thank the rich folks for taking the spotlight. We don't need or want it. Charity in its deepest spiritual dimension drives us to do what we can for others, just as our desire to be diligent in our daily work for the greater glory of God motivates us more than the desire for riches or recognition. Right?
...to the extent you reduce your own circumstances here and now, you not only improve the lot of someone in need - an act of charity - but you'll improve your chances of entering a neighborhood (we call it "Heaven") where everything you currently possess or may aspire to possess will pale - to put it mildly, in comparison.This might be seen as implying a kind of "piling up" of spiritual, vs. material, possessions. Not that there's anything wrong with either corporal or spiritual acts of mercy, mind you, or the fact that such deeds are considered meritorious. God's goodness towards us, his struggling creatures, allows for our struggles to result in an improvement of the state of our soul. We sacrifice, sometimes we suffer, and - especially if we offer up our struggles, sacrifices, and suffering - His grace flows abundantly over us.
But in the case of living frugally for the purpose of having more to give to those in need, there may be a hidden danger. Even as we bite the bullet and turn ourselves - whether slowly, slightly, or full bore - away from our natural desire for creature comforts, we don't want to replace our piling up of stuff with a piling up of sanctity. This may apply especially to those who, upon embracing a goal or objective, throw themselves into the accomplishment of it fully and freely. Nothing stands in the way of grabbing that gold ring.
Indeed, grasping for God's gracious charity should strike us as being a lot better than grasping for the murky muck of mammon. But while charity remains fundamentally and critically central to our spiritual development, we don't want to now obsess over what it may get us in the end, do we? Doesn't that attitude towards the acquisition of spiritual wealth strike you as just as self-centered as pursuing material wealth? So how do we properly approach our endeavor to live frugally in order to help others, such that we're not so focused on ourselves? St. Therese of Lisieux has some suggestions here:
“Remaining little,” says St. Therese, “means recognizing one’s nothingness, to await everything from the goodness of God, to avoid being too much troubled by our faults, not to worry over amassing spiritual riches, nor to be solicitous about anything.”If you don't know St. Therese's spiritual writings, this might be the time to get to know her better. You'll find that this diminutive, sickly nun, who died at the age of 24, wasn't declared a Doctor of the Church for no good reason by Pope St. John Paul II. This little tonic - especially "not to worry over amassing spiritual riches" - keeps us grounded and on track as we attempt to live more frugally in order to create the means to help others.
Recently, we've read about spectacular donations by rich people to what they consider good causes. They get all the press, and therefore all the adulation. (Click HERE for one example.) Let's prayerfully thank the rich folks for taking the spotlight. We don't need or want it. Charity in its deepest spiritual dimension drives us to do what we can for others, just as our desire to be diligent in our daily work for the greater glory of God motivates us more than the desire for riches or recognition. Right?
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