The third of the traditional means to obtain sanctification that not only the Church recommends but also most of the other important religions is giving alms.

Saint Vincent of Paul used to say that before trying to save the soul of the poor, we should help them to realize they have one, which means that we should help to help them live decent enough lives, because, without it they will have to consecrate their entire energies to simply survive. However, not only material goods can be shared: we can share a multitude of things in order to show how we care for our neighbor. Time, talent, knowledge and faith can be shared also. Of course, material shortcomings must be addressed first in order to allow the needy to receive other types of help. Nevertheless, we should not forget psychological, moral, spiritual and intellectual needs.

Sharing our material goods and using spiritual and intellectual abilities for giving alms radically questions the “globalization of indifference” that Pope Francis so strongly denounces. Dedicating time to talk with a beggar we think annoying or disgusting for instance, helps in restoring his/her dignity. This experience allows us to change our way of looking at him/her too. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who knew a bit about human distress, said that human beings often needed to be recognized more than to be fed. Patiently listening the heart that needs kindness because of the suffering of this life or attending the mentally ill or old people are other ways to give alms.

Finally, peacefully witnessing our faith in front of agnostics or aggressive non-believers is an act of charity too; for, many times, it means answering the distress of someone who is seeking the Truth. In our modern world, it seems that new religious wars have begun: nourished by ignorance about the faith and the convictions of the other gives birth to hate and fear. It is a pity that a certain understanding of laicism by some States leads to the prevention of any public expression of religious convictions, instead of setting up conditions that allow a peaceful and respectful coexistence between them. 

Saint Yves used to spend all his money on the poor. Not only did he give to them from his surplus wealth, but he also offered from his basic living expenses, spending all his resources as a pastor, lawyer and judge. He gave them his own food and clothes; he even sold his horse to help them. He himself paid school tuitions for poor children. He put all his physical and intellectual capacities at the service of the poor feeding, curing, and defending them, even burring them.

Often we tend to think that we cannot meet all the needs that are asked of us. But we forget that it is certainly much harsher to be on the side of those who have to beg than or the side of those who can give. Yves teaches us that as long as we have not given everything, we have not given sufficiently. Mother Teresa promised to the Lord that she would never turn down any solicitation. Later, she wrote that it is very demanding. But this is exactly what the Gospel of the Last judgment requires from us: “ What you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.” (Mt 25, 45)

Actually, Christian morality requires much more than simply refraining from doing evil. It is not even sufficient to do good: we should do all the good we can on the earth. Saints give an impressive testimony of self-sacrifice that urges us to imitate them. In his first Epistle to Corinthian, Saint Paul teaches us that whatever we do – such as eating or drinking or anything else – we should do for God’s glory. So we can understand, with fear, that using natural resources of the world is theft if it is not for ultimately for God’s glory. Resting, eating, drinking, studying, developing intellectual growth, maintaining our physical shape, until breathing should have no other aim but serving our brothers and sisters.