In response to the rich young man in yesterday’s Gospel not taking up Jesus’s invitation to follow him because he was unwilling to renounce his great wealth, Jesus warns his own disciples about wealth and its dangers. Although this rich young man follows the commandments that Jesus lists, Jesus calls him to be perfect. Now that does not mean flawless but complete, whole, to a deeper spiritual maturity. This man’s heart is divided and he is overly attached to worldly things and possessions. Love for Jesus and his gospel should come before all else.
Very often you hear people misquote about money in reference to the scriptures. In St Paul’s first letter to St Timothy it says “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”. It does not say, money is the root of all evil, but love of it.
This is precisely what Jesus sees in this young man. He cannot detach himself from it, it has a control over him, he is possessed by his possessions and wealth and that is why Jesus says it is so hard for those with wealth to enter the kingdom of God. Money, possessions, wealth, property are not bad in themselves but they can become a hindrance when we become absorbed in them and we begin to serve them and seek them more than God.
All these very things can be used to promote service to God and to his poor. Christians have a duty to use their wealth, even when it is limited to help and support the weak, the vulnerable and the church and those agencies that seek to administer aid to the poor, healthcare to the sick and justice to the oppressed.
However, we also have a duty to be prudent that we do not support agencies that promote things in their charities that our contrary to our Catholic faith and also that we reach those who are genuinely disadvantaged over those who are taking advantage of our generosity. The Holy Spirit is our guide in this, he will instruct us and guide us to those who are most in need of God’s providential care.
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