By Doug Grow, Minneapolis Star Tribune, February 12, 2007

13 Feb 2007 // Pastor Mac Hammond is going to be the hero of those of us who have found Christianity a little prickly on the subject of cash.

Wealth, the pastor of the massive Living Word Christian Center in Brooklyn Park explained to his flock Sunday, is just another word for "blessing."

If you've got it, flaunt it -- cuz you deserve it.

"God says if you base your life on his covenant, these blessings are gonna overtake you," the pastor told his congregation.

He has been overtaken by a Porsche, a Lexus, a couple of homes in Florida, a "retreat" up north, a couple of motorcycles and some sweetheart loan and lease arrangements with his church.

Hallelujah.

Pastor Mac was in explaining mode Sunday. A watchdog organization, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, wants the Internal Revenue Service to take a close look at the financial blessings that have come Hammond's way.

The pastor received standing ovations for his explanations of his wealth.

And why not? For those of us who have attained at least some material comfort, Hammond's theology is a lot more assuring than such biblical lines as "it's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Pastor Mac explained that it's important that he live the high life because nobody in 2007 is going to listen to somebody "with holes in their shoes."

I called Joe Selvaggio to let him know that Pastor Mac is preaching a brand of the faith that appears to be a lot easier on the conscience than the "blessed are the poor" faith of our fathers.

Selvaggio, who turns 70 this spring, is a former Dominican priest who once took a vow of poverty. He left the priesthood decades ago, but he's spent most of his life working with the poor. The most money he ever was paid -- heading Project for Pride in Living, which he founded -- was $50,000. He lives modestly in the inner city. He drives a 10-year-old Buick and sometimes has holes in his shoes.

Still, Selvaggio said he doesn't find the rich blessed or the poor evil.

"I know some very good rich people and some very good poor people," he said.

In fact, some of his best friends are rich. He hangs out at the Minneapolis Club. He's going to Mexico for a winter break, thanks to the generosity of a rich friend.

Since he retired from PPL, Selvaggio has continued "to act as a bridge between the rich and the poor." The tireless worker has formed two organizations, the One Percent Club and MicroGrants.

The One Percent Club asks its 1,000 members to donate either 1 percent of their net worth or 5 percent of their income to charity. MicroGrants is set up to make small gifts -- ranging from $500 to $1,500 -- to those who need a boost.

"As long as you're using your wealth to benefit others and living somewhat modestly, I think you are doing the right things," said Selvaggio.

Selvaggio is accepting of most people and most faiths.

The only folks Selvaggio has trouble with are those who have so much -- and think they deserve it. Of course, it could be he just believes he deserves a Lexus.