Rules from Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola translated from the original by Louis J. Puhl, SJ
"In every choice, as far as depends on us, our intention must be simple. I must consider only the end for which I am created, that is for the praise of God our Lord and for the salvation of my soul." (SE 169*)
St. Ignatius write the following rules should be observed in the ministry of distributing alms:
If I distribute alms to my relatives or friends or persons to whom I am attached, there are four things that must be considered.
1. The first is that the love that moves me and causes me to give the alms must be from above, that is from the love of God our Lord. Hence I should be conscious within myself that God is the motive of the greater or less love that I bear toward these persons, and that God is manifestly the cause of my loving them more. (SE 338)
2. I should place before my mind a person whom I have never seen or known, and whom I wish to be wholly perfect in the office and state of life which he occupies. Now the same standard of action that I would like him to follow in his way of distributing alms for the greater glory of God and the perfection of his soul I myself will observe, and do neither more nor less. The same rule I would like him to follow, and the norm I judge would be for the glory of God I shall abide by myself. (SE 339)
3. I should picture myself at the hour of my death, and ponder well the way and norm I would then wish to have observed in carrying out the duties of my office. I will lay down the same rule for myself now, and keep it in my distribution of alms. (SE 340)
4. I should imagine myself before my judge on the last day, and weigh well the manner in which I would wish then to have done my duty in carrying out this office. The same rule that I would then wish to have observed I will keep now. (SE 341)
Further points to consider from St. Ignatius:
5. When one finds that he is inclined or attached to some person to whom he wishes to give alms, let him stop and ponder well the four rules given above. He must investigate and test his affection by them. He should not give alms until in conformity with these rules he has completely put off and cast aside his inordinate attachment. (SE 342)
6. It is true that there is no wrong in receiving the goods of God our Lord to such a service. Never-theless, there may be question of a fault and excess in the amount he retains and applies his own needs of what he holds to give to others. Hence one can reform his way of living in his state by the rules given above. (SE 343)
7. For these and many other reasons it will always be better and safer in all matters concerning himself and his household, if one is saving and cuts down expenses as much as possible, if he imitates as closely as he can our great High Pries, model, and guide, Christ our Lord. It was in conformity with this doctrine that the Third Council of Carthage, at which St. Augustine was present, decided and decreed that the furniture of the biship should be cheap and poor. (SE 343)
*SE # is a refrence to The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola translated from the original by Louis J. Puhl, SJ
St. Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us!