RICH OR POOR?

RICH OR POOR? – 18^th Sunday Ordinary Time, Year C

Many want to be wealthy. The Scriptures see two kinds of wealth, worldly wealth and spiritual wealth. Worldly wealth is limited to just this world, and is not to be pursued at the cost of one’s soul, life, and at the cost of becoming spiritually destitute or unable to seek spiritual wealth. Certainly if it is pursued in unjust ways at the expense of the rights of others, it is sinful and leads to spiritual death. Many sell their souls for a few hundred or a few thousand dollars or a little power, and become spiritually bankrupt. Perhaps others sell their souls for millions and a lot of worldly power and influence. Some sell their souls and still end up poor according to the world’s standards of wealth and the Gospel standards.

            All the worldly rich must leave their wealth and possessions, even if acquired honestly, at the uncertain time of their death. They may even be unable to enjoy their goods because of sickness, others stealing them, a change in the economy, or any number of other reasons. The inspired author of Ecclesiastes observed the lives of the worldly wealthy and reached the conclusion that “All things are vanity!” Vanity in the Scriptures means a sense of emptiness, hopelessness, and wastefulness. A person’s life work has to enrich others and in some way be able to be carried with them when they die. A life which doesn’t enrich others is a wasted and poverty stricken one.

            The wealthy die and leave their wealth to others who often become spiritually poor because of it. By devoting one’s whole life and energy to acquiring wealth in its many forms, many neglect acquiring spiritual wealth with others, and with the Lord. They spend their time acquiring only for themselves when true wealth comes from sharing and growing and meeting the needs of others. They may sacrifice their health and life and exclude their family, friends, church, and even the Lord from their life in extreme cases.  Occasionally the worldly rich realize their poverty of life and become converted. They hear and respond to the words of our Lord. “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions”.

            Worldly wealth can include the pursuit of sinful pleasure, bad relationships, and false gods. Paul warns against this. “Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly; immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry.” Jesus’ parable is about the rich man who only enriched himself and ended in destruction. He failed to confront the truth that he would have to die, that God would demand his very life that night. “You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong? Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.”

            Some don’t seek the riches of the world. However, that in itself will not insure they are rich in the sight of God. They may not seek the richness and wealth of God either. They remain both worldly poor and spiritually poor too. The Gospel calls us to seek spiritual riches and wealth with God. “If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.”

            The spiritually poor don’t seek to build up their minds, hearts, and lives on the Lord. They don’t pursue a relationship of faith in prayer with the Lord, knowledge of His Word, and a renewed mind which knows the ways of God, the gifts of the Spirit, and the living of the moral life demanded by the Gospel. They live in spiritual sloth, apathy, and laziness. The spiritual riches of prayer, and the fruits of the Spirit of joy, peace, and love don’t seem to mean that much to those not growing rich in the sight of God. The presence of God, which is the greatest blessing and richest treasure and wealth is neglected.

            We can ask ourselves if we are becoming rich in the sight of God and building up treasure in heaven? “If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Not all can be worldly rich. All can be spiritually wealthy in Christ!

Divine Mercy Reflection #138

“Few are the souls that are always watchful for divine graces, and even fewer of such souls who follow those inspirations faithfully.”