Any pastor cringes a bit when he hears Jesus’ words when he drove out those who were “selling things in the temple area:” “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer.” The realities of running a modern parish requires attention to the raising and prudent use of money. While this is necessary and can be an occasion of spiritual power (prudent stewardship is a gospel value) it does, nonetheless, seem at times to distract from the church being “a house of prayer.” Hence, the challenge: to keep prayer as the focus all the while being attentive to fiscal responsibility. If everyone provides the support the can of their “time, talent and treasure” we can leave the rest in the hands of God.
