Riches & Wealth

Today’s Gospel Text:  And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'" 20 And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth." 21 And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 22 At that saying his countenance fell, and he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?" 27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." Mark 10:17-27

Reflection: There are many who give to the poor or in charity, some to have treasures in heaven and some to have more and some to have some kind of blessings or the other. 

Some of the modern day evangelist would have Christians believe that when they give more the more they will receive from God by way of material wealth; therefore tithe! 

In other words hope for more of the material world and not the way to perfection, as desired by Jesus.

They have forgotten the message of Jesus that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God and hence by preaching the gospel of prosperity they are making it still more difficult for the greedy and the lost to enter the kingdom of God. (cfr. vs. 23) 

‘

If it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, then it will be impossible for these so called evangelist to enter the kingdom, for leading many of the little ones astray in their quest for Christ.

Wealth is one of the greatest substitutes for God and this evil replacement is far greater than the evil of indiscriminate knowledge or power or attention seeking.

Many a times many seek the wealth in the quest for these latter evil such as knowledge, attention seeking and power.

Thus one makes an idol out of wealth and worship it to their heart content.  It is the god that brings happiness and joy to the possessor and gives one the power to have things that can make them happy.

Not that God is a kill-joy and doesn’t want his creatures to be happy. His plan for our happiness begins here and has an eternal perspective, lived in a sure hope.

Assuring us of this, St. Paul said: 

    

"There is great gain in godliness with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world; but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs." 1 Tim 6:6-10

Prayer:  Lord, help me not to put my confidence in extortion and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase then to set not my heart on them. (Adapted from Ps. 62:10)

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us