We can only speculate how Jesus would have fared today if he asked "Go and sell everything you own…. and you will have treasure in heaven." As ever, a big income does not necessarily mean you have a big heart. While the amount raised by charity increased, it is possible that prosperity could actually make us less likely to give. In a strange way wealth can destroy generosity. In an even stranger way, in the Ireland of today, wealth can be more apparent than real.
After all, the May 2006 figures for Ireland showed our total indebtedness as a nation at €276.2 billion. The Irish spent nearly 10% more on domestic electrical goods, with only one area experiencing a fall – the sales of books and newspapers. So much for the well educated workforce.
The basic reason however that people don't give is – fear. People dread that they will outlive their resources. And so we read of significant estates left behind after a death, which people inherit. The same word was used by the young man of the Gospel. "Inherit eternal life." Are we like him? We know we've so much, but when challenged to put our inherent gifts to good use, we baulk. Losing sight of our inheritance, too often we just walk away.
(Comments to Tom at tomascox@eircom.net )