This goes hand in hand with the oft quoted "money is the root of all evil" scripture (1 Timothy 6:10). Though that verse is most often misquoted above (as I purposely just did above) here is the full verse:
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.Note that Paul is teaching Timothy here that it is the love of money that is the root of all evil (not the money itself). Jacob clarifies this for us with his teachings from today's scripture mastery.
Basically, if we have our hearts in the right place, i.e. in seeking after the kingdom of God, in serving the poor and the needy, and in helping our fellow man--money and riches can be a good thing. After all, it is much simpler to help many suffering people if you have the financial means to do so. . .
To go along with these teachings is the church's teaching about fast offerings. Fast offerings are one of the ways that the Lord has set up to help the poor and the needy within (and even outside of) the church. Every month, on a designated fast day, the members of the church are encouraged to fast (i.e. skip meals for 24 hours while praying for a specific need.) Along with that, they are encouraged to give to the church at least the cost of those skipped meals, but what is given can be much more than that. Those funds that are gathered are used to help the poor and the needy in the local area. The funds are dispersed by the local bishop. If the funds that have been gathered are more than is needed in that local area, they are then given to the church headquarters, where they can be redirected to those areas with a greater need.
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