Do you have a healthy relationship with money?

Throughout the four Gospels, Jesus speaks about money more than any other topic. The reason is that nothing gets between us and God like money. Nothing will mess up our values and priorities like money.

But Saint Waldetrudis didn’t let money mess up her values or priorities. In fact, she used her wealth to live a life of Gospel generosity. 

Born into affluence in 7th-century Belgium, Waldetrudis was destined for a life of nobility. She got married and had four children. After one of her children tragically died, however, she and her husband mutually decided to enter the religious life. Her husband became a monk and founded a monastery. Waldetrudis became a nun and founded a convent, where she nurtured the spiritual life of her fellow nuns.

But her convent was not just for the nuns. She used her wealth to take care of the sick and poor. Perhaps the best example of her Gospel generosity was in her devotion to freeing captives, whether they be slaves, prisoners of war, or any other person held in bondage. Saint Waldetrudis literally bought them back. She negotiated the ransom price and sent over the money bag. When the captives were released, Saint Waldetrudis said there was only one way they could repay her: by returning to their own families.

What is your relationship with money?

There are a thousand ways to have an unhealthy relationship with money. You can hoard it or waste it, use it to control others, or lust after more of it. The list goes on and on.

There is one way to have a healthy relationship with money: Remember it is not yours. Everything belongs to God. The money and things we have, He has simply entrusted to us. We are stewards.

This realization gives birth to Gospel generosity. And Gospel generosity is radical.

Patron Saint of: Mons, Belgium

Also Known As: Saint Waltrude

Feast Day Shared By: Saint Liborius