From the Friars: The Danger of Riches
In today’s Gospel, in response to the dispute between two brothers over their inheritance, Jesus warns us to beware of all greed, “because ‘the life of man does not depend on the abundance of the goods they possess’“. With these words the question arises: “Is it bad to have riches?”
God Himself entrusted us with the earth and gave us the right to administer and care for it, so that through our work we benefit from its fruits (Gn 1:26). In addition, God placed in us the desire for those natural goods (food, shelter and clothing) that correspond to the preservation of life itself. But, as a consequence of Original Sin, we tend to cling to the goods of the earth in a disorderly way and sometimes we pursue them obsessively. Wealth creates the false illusion that to have more is to be happier or to believe that we are more important than others.
Jesus warns us to beware of “every kind of covetousness.” Greed is an inordinate love for the goods of the earth. It is like a trap that can cause an addiction. Instead of feeling happy when we achieve what we want, we feel that it is insufficient and we fall into a vicious circle that never ends: we always want more.
In our culture, it is very easy to fall into this trap. Well, we live in a society full of messages that try to convince us that happiness depends on owning things. Have you ever fallen into the trap of buying a product without really needing it? Or have you felt guilty for not being up to date with fashion? Or do you buy electronic items that promise you an easier life, but in the end they make it more complicated?
In order not to fall into this trap, it is necessary to value yourself for what you are and not for what you have. Being content with what you have without being obsessed with having more and never pretending to be what you don’t have, but living according to the economic means you have.
Jesus does not condemn riches in themselves. The problem is when we cultivate an inordinate love for these goods. The goods of this world only have a relative value and end with death. So let us work with these material goods and use them as instruments for our salvation. Let us use them in works of charity and mercy, remembering the words of Jesus: “Truly I tell you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40)
In this way we will be rich in the eyes of God.
God Bless you,
— Br. Juan Diego