In this episode of Author to Author, Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson interviews Fr. Eugen Nkardzedze on his book Keep the Basket away from the Casket (February 14, 2023)

Keep the Basket away from the Casket not only poses a challenge to the acquisition and use of money in the Church, but it also offers a solution with God’s preference of mercy over sacrifice (Hos 6:6). In so doing, Fr. Nkardzedze provides practical lessons that teach the Church to pray when raising money, rather than to raise money when praying. He presents charity as the antidote to the love of money that forms the root of all evil. These seven indictments against the collection of Mass offerings in church provide a theology of money with radical solutions that call for the courage to reject ill-timed alms, donations, collections, and contributions. The Church’s mission, after all, is not to save money, but souls. If we administer the sacraments properly to the people, that is, place the food of salvation within their reach and fulfill our spiritual obligation, Fr. Nkardzedze demonstrates, God will provide for our material needs without our having to leverage the sacraments to obtain them.

Keep the Basket away from the Casket: Seven Indictments against the Collection of Mass offerings in Church | En Route Books and Media