PURSE STRINGS

‘To hold the purse strings’ is a colloquial term that has been around for a long time and it means to be in control of money, spending, and financial responsibility and decisions for money. To ‘loosen’ or ‘tighten’ the purse strings is to release or restrict the flow of money or spending. Some hold very tightly to the purse strings and others keep a much looser grip.

The purse is a term that goes far back in history and scripture. Haggai the prophet mentions “earning wages and putting them into a purse with holes in it.” This was a warning to the people of Israel who were busy building their houses and their own little world and leaving the things of the Lord and the House of the Lord lying in ruins without giving their time and money to the things of God.

Of course, maybe the most famous purse carrier was Judas Iscariot. He was the one who kept the purse for Jesus and disciples as they went about. As Mary poured costly ointment on the feet of Jesus, Judas could see the costly perfume as money going down the drain. This is why: “but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag (purse) he used to help himself to what was put into it.” He told Jesus he wanted to sell the expensive ointment and give the money to the poor. His hair was on fire.

Holding the purse strings is always an important function that requires discernment and responsibility.
It goes beyond money to other things and other strings. St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226), once said, “One has not given up all things for God if that person is still holding on to the purse of their own opinions.”

“Jesus said to Judas, ‘Leave her (Mary) alone, so she may keep the rest of it for my burial.” Jesus