In this episode of The Missing Conversation, Robert is joined by his friend and co-founder at The Global Bridge Foundation, and Mark Spiro from Trash Prophets, a recycling initiative that gives purpose and job opportunities to the homeless. The two of them join him as he continues to explore how a more transparent relationship with money could lead us to help each other and humanity at large — this time with a focus on the Christian faith.

Like Buddhist teachers, most Christian ministers and leaders of faith have not revealed to their congregation their development or thought about their specific relationship with money, and how that would help our world that so badly needs it. Without the example from their teachers, pastors, and priests, Christian followers have been unable to reconcile with what the Bible teaches — that their true wealth awaits them in heaven, and that money on earth is here to be used for balance. But instead of being grateful and sharing, as Jesus taught us to, almost all of us that have had the opportunity have been collecting our wealth for our future, while those in our community still need help.

Robert and Mark also share how the film Brother Sun, Sister Moon — a narrative about the life of St Francis of Assisi, encourages us, especially the leaders of true Christians to introspect about their relationship with money and the transparency around their individual attachments.

Jesus's example inspires the call for a renewed sense of understanding and a change in our attitudes, actions, and values when it comes to money. If Christian teachers and religious leaders took the first step and were more open, honest, and vulnerable, it would likely lead to more transparency and understanding. We also need to talk about and understand how Jesus would have wanted us to deal with money and wealth — would he not have wanted us to help our fellow humans, and the planet on which we live? If he were the CEO of a million-dollar company, how would he run his business, and how much would he give to the less fortunate?

There is a growing canyon of discrepancy in the richest and poorest in our world. Yet, once you gain even a fleeting awareness of this distance, it may lead to a deeper, more fulfilling kind of awareness and understanding. It may well foster a longing to give , moving toward healing and helping others heal. It could encourage you to share your good fortunes and empower those who need it with not just money but opportunities to work and develop their lives and harness their potential. This could open doors towards blessings and feeling reconnected with humanity as a whole.

Whether it's encouraging followers to give a percentage of what they earn and contemplate where it would be most meaningful to them, or it's openly exploring how attached we have become to our wealth and money, Christian ministers could genuinely make a difference through their sermons and practice — using part of the wisdom that Jesus would have done if he were still here on Earth.

Read the transcription and listen to this episode on The Global Bridge Foundation website.