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🕊️ Virtue Description
Today on VirTrue, we’re talking about the virtue of Liberality (Liberalitas).
This term may carry political baggage, but in Catholic theology, liberality is a sub-virtue of charity that governs the right use and distribution of external goods in accordance with reason, justice, and love of God and neighbor.
Aquinas defines liberality as:
“A virtue whereby a man uses money in accordance with the judgment of reason.” (ST II–II, Q.117, A.1)
But it goes beyond money — liberality includes how we steward time, talents, influence, and knowledge. It cultivates detachment, fosters solidarity, and reflects Christ’s self-giving nature.
“Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matthew 10:8)“He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9)
This virtue integrates with prudence, humility, and mercy, helping us balance our desire for security with the call to use our gifts for the good of others.
⚖️ Vice of Deficiency: Stinginess
Definition:A failure to give appropriately due to attachment, fear, or self-interest — withholding what justice or charity would require.
Why it fits:Stinginess reflects the absence of liberality, not its distortion. It withholds generosity and treats possessions as ends rather than as gifts meant for stewardship.
Description:Stinginess shrinks the soul. It hoards blessings, masks itself as prudence, and resists the freedom of charity.
Acts 5: Ananias and Sapphira show us the fatal spiritual danger of stinginess paired with deception.
đź’§ Vice of Excess: Lavishness
Definition:Excessive giving or spending beyond what is prudent, potentially harming self or others.
Why it fits:Lavishness lacks discernment. It may appear generous but often stems from vanity, emotion, or a desire to be admired.
Description:It ignores proportion and duty, enabling waste or irresponsibility. As Aquinas says:
“The prodigal person gives not according to reason, but beyond what is suitable.” (ST II–II, Q.119)
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🪞 My Life
Earlier in life, I was stingy — especially in college and early career. But that changed at CUA, with Dr. Andrew Abela’s teaching on faithful tithing: not prosperity gospel nonsense, but trust in God’s economy.
“Give and gifts will be given to you… For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” (Luke 6:38)
I’ve also fallen into lavishness — especially with my kids. I’ve wasted resources on toys that collect dust by January 2nd. My wife and I are refocusing our spending on hobbies and skills (like woodworking and painting) that build character, not clutter.
Even my career has been a tithe — choosing to use my talents and time for the Kingdom, even when that meant financial sacrifice compared to secular peers.
🌍 The Secular Perspective
There’s a deep political divide around spending in America, but neither side has a monopoly on virtue.
* Liberalism, as a political ideology, has often pursued liberality without reason or justice, falling into lavish wastefulness.
* Conservatives, in reaction, sometimes slip into stinginess, resenting the poor for rejoicing in their full pantries.
If your love gas gauge is on empty, the world isn’t going anywhere.
This episode isn’t about politics — it’s about freeing your heart from the vices that blind you to others’ needs.
🌟 Example Saint: St. Elizabeth of Hungary
* Born a princess, she lived as a servant of the poor.
* Gave away personal wealth, clothes, and status to care for the sick.
* After her husband’s death, she renounced royalty and entered the Third Order of St. Francis.
* Founded hospitals and cared for lepers with her own hands.
* When criticized, she said:
“How can I wear a crown of gold when my Lord wears a crown of thorns?”
She embodies liberality in its fullest sense — not just detachment, but the freedom to give everything for love of God and neighbor.
đź’¬ Tell Me What You Think
Share your thoughts in the comments and continue the conversation.Your reflections might be featured in future episodes when we invite guests to explore this virtue with us.
✝️ Act of Liberality
O, my God, moved by the desire for true justice, I will act with the resources you have blessed me with to bring about justice.I will distribute your goodness not simply from my surplus where it overflows, but from the portion I reserve for myself.I will give not just from my material resources, but also from my talent, time, knowledge, power, and influence out of my love for You, and for my neighbor.I give all that you have given me back to you in the service of your will.With the help of your grace, I will use these gifts to serve my brothers and sisters.Not in waste and excess, but in true liberality.Amen.
🛡️ Closing Prayer
Lord, bless us with faith, hope, love, prudence, temperance, fortitude, and justice that we may live as you intended man to live, in all virtue and righteousness.Help us to flee from sin, and avoid all temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil.Protect us with a spiritual hedge in front of us, behind us, above us, below us, to our right, and to our left, within us and all around us, and seal it with the blood of your precious Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.Help us to keep you in everything that we see, think, and do.Amen.
🕊️ Go out and fill the world with virtue. Deus vult!
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