"Joy and poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity"

We want you to know, brothers and sisters, of the grace of God
that has been given to the churches of Macedonia,
for in a severe test of affliction,
the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty
overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
For according to their means, I can testify,
and beyond their means, spontaneously,
they begged us insistently for the favor of taking part
in the service to the holy ones,
and this, not as we expected,
but they gave themselves first to the Lord
and to us through the will of God,
so that we urged Titus that, as he had already begun,
he should also complete for you this gracious act also.
Now as you excel in every respect,
in faith, discourse, knowledge, all earnestness,
and in the love we have for you,
may you excel in this gracious act also.

I say this not by way of command,
but to test the genuineness of your love
by your concern for others.
For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that for your sake he became poor although he was rich,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.

-- 2 Cor 8:1-9

In economic matters, respect for human dignity requires the practice of the virtue of temperance, so as to moderate attachment to this world's goods; the practice of the virtue of justice, to preserve our neighbor's rights and render him what is his due; and the practice of solidarity, in accordance with the golden rule and in keeping with the generosity of the Lord, who "though he was rich, yet for your sake . . . became poor so that by his poverty, you might become rich."

-- CCC 2407

NOTA BENE: The world bombards the Christian, already rich, with the lie that he is poor. "You need this, you need that; you need to look like this and you need to live here or there." Lies from the Father of Lies. You are already rich, and you will become richer when you share the treasure of Christ with the poor: those without love, without peace.

((((..))))

(Celebrating the Year of Saint Paul: View in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls of archaeological excavations to the foundations of earlier church on the site.)