Wealth

Money, as you know, can be very seductive. We see people living lavish lifestyles, and we see all the benefits of having wealth, and it’s attractive. We can get caught up in glamorizing the lives of the rich and famous.

Contrary to what many people think, the Bible doesn’t condemn wealth. St. Paul says “the love of money is the root of all evils.” (I Timothy 6:10) In other words, the desire for money can lead to people doing evil things.

You can do a lot of good with wealth. Many institutions depend on the generosity of benefactors. These individuals have come to realize that life doesn’t consist of an abundance of possessions, and that it’s important to give back. An 80-year Harvard study shows that in terms of happiness, good relationships beat out fortune and fame.

Jesus does not say that money is bad, just that, if you have a lot, there are many pitfalls that you have to be careful of. So what do we have to look out for? Selfishness, greed, self-centeredness, making choices based solely on profit or our reputation, being willing to harm others in order to get ahead, lack of caring about those in need. It’s about getting our priorities straight and doing good with what we have, no matter how much or how little it is.

“Religion with contentment is a great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it.” (I Timothy 6:6-7)