Poverty, a fundamental value for Franciscans and Jesuits, the religious orders that began their missionary work in Brazil in the sixteenth century, became a controversial theme when financing strategies of missionary activity were established. Originally founded as mendicant orders, specific characteristics led them to divergent methods. Franciscanism is used by the Jesuits as a metaphor of what they do not intend to take as a methodological, administrative and missiological parameter. The Jesuit discourse makes believe that the Gospel will be as more effective as it can count on the material resources coming from productive and commercial activities, under the administration of the Company.
poverty; Franciscans; Jesuits; religious orders; financing of missions; Colonial Brazil.