477- A Conference about Money in the Church

 

St-Takla.org Image: Father Bishoy Kamel, giving blessings using the Holy Cross. صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: الأب بيشوي كامل وهو يعطي البركة للشعب بالصليب المقدس.

In the sixties, our beloved Father Pishoy Kamel took part in a conference about the attitude of the Church towards money. When the question was raised, the minister of a Swedish Church replied, “we’ve no problem for the Church instituted a bank in its name, which finances the Church.”

When it was Father Pishoy’s turn to answer, he said, “Our Church in Egypt exists on people‘s donations collected in Church. It takes care of all the financial needs of the church, the Fathers and the Church employees.”

Many were surprised and one commented, “There’s an important point: what if there were fewer people in the congregation, it means that there will be less money. How can the Church fulfill its duties?”

Father Pishoy was sad because that comment goes against the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. He sent his poor disciples and apostles to work without moneybag or knapsack and the Church added the newly saved daily. The believers threw their money at the disciples’ feet but the disciples refused to leave the word of God and serve tables.

Unfortunately, many Churches are preoccupied with gaining money more than gaining souls.

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: مؤتمر عن الكنيسة والمال.

God let me serve You.

Put Your word in my mouth so I can testify to it instead of serving tables.

When will I see every soul attracted to You?

When will all enjoy Your salvation?

A Catholic Priest Seeing St. Mary in Egypt

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