Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2
“Now there are many kinds of wealth and a variety of grounds for rejoicing; every man’s treasure is that which he desires. If it is based on earthly ambitions, its acquisition makes men not blessed but wretched. But those who enjoy the things that are above and eternal rather than earthly and perishable, possess an incorruptible, hidden store… Through these, with the help of God’s grace, even earthly possessions are transformed into heavenly blessings.
It is a fact that many people use the wealth which is either rightfully left to them or otherwise acquired, as a tool of devotion. By distributing what might be superfluous to support the poor, they are amassing imperishable riches… What they have discreetly given cannot be subject to loss. They have properly placed those riches where their heart is; it is a most blessed thing to work to increase such riches rather than to fear that they may pass away.”
Leo the Great (c. 400-461) in Sermon 92 as recounted Milton Walsh in Witness of the Saints: Patristic Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2012) 624.
As you come together on the grounds of rejoicing on the holiday known as Christmas, remember to choose the blessed rather than the wretched path.
Setting our affections and desires on earthly things will only leave us empty. Setting them on things above will always leave us enriched.
And when we focus on storing up as much as possible in heaven, we not only discreetly and properly place it in the most secure spot; wealth becomes a tool of devotion.
On the wretched path, that means wealth becomes a tool of destruction. We must not let that happen to us. Instead, we resolve to show our devotion through our generosity.