Wealth is of central importance to the Kellogg community. Through the course of our careers, we will accumulate more wealth than 99% of the world’s population. That creates moral opportunities and obligations. The Gospel has plenty to say about wealth and the Catholic Church’s best thinkers have developed and refined the teaching over the last 2,000 years. The bulk of the Church’s teaching focuses on the acquisition and use of wealth, as those are the two aspects where individuals’ choices play the biggest role.
Thriving at work is an expression of freedom and creative genius, which are gifts from God. John Paul II said that it is through work that, “man doesn’t just make more, he becomes more.” Moral problems arise with the acquisition of wealth when wealth is pursued as the ultimate goal. Luke tells us, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart also be” (12:34). Pursuing wealth for the sake of wealth creates an idol that competes for the love of God. The theologian Paul Tillich aptly says, “God is the object of greatest concern.” The Church desires men and women to discern their job calling, apply their talents and serve others through their work, but cautions us to keep God and service of man as our central focus, rather than wealth accumulation.
The gift of wealth connotes opportunity and obligation to use it wisely. Luke tells us that, “to whom much is given, much is expected” (Luke 12:48). The Church teaches that our first priority is to provide for the material needs of our family. Beyond that, we are challenged to serve Christ by fulfilling the material needs of others. Matthew’s Gospel tells the story of a man who ignores the hunger and poverty of others and Christ’s response, “I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me” (Matthew 25:45).
This prompts us to consider: What role does salary play in the job opportunities we are considering? Are we intentional about our use of wealth? Are you being called to use your wealth towards different ends?