God and Mammon

This post (scroll up!) over at the Shrine about book called 'Pray and Be Rich' reminds me of an anecdote I heard a while ago:

It is said that a very well-to-do and extravagant Cardinal was to give an
address at one of the Jesuit educational institutions here in the City.
(The Romans knew there was only one Urbs!) Anyway, two of the
Professors were discussing theology on the front steps when a very expensive top
of the line German automobile pulled up, the prelate in question emerged and swept past the
watching academics in a flutter of red watered-silk. Raising an eyebrow, one of them
turned to his colleague and commented 'Mercedes habet.'