Wealth is not all to life

THE EDITOR: It is important to know what Jesus said about “wealth.” He emphasised the dangers of riches. St Luke added to the Beatitude “Blessed are ye poor,” and the corresponding woe on the rich who have “received their consolation.” After the rich man was told to sell his possessions and give to the poor, and had “turned away sorrowful,” Jesus said that it was difficult that rich men would enter God’s kingdom and that it was easier for a camel to go through a camel’s eye.

Jesus qualified this later by stating that “all things are possible with God.” When a man demanded that Jesus should get his brother to divide an inheritance, Jesus warned him and others to keep themselves from covetousness. This seems to be a warning rather to the poor, who had not, but it is followed by an injunction to the rich that “a man’s life consists not in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke). Jesus also urged the responsibility of those who had money. Luke relates the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, showing the consequences of receiving one’s good things on this earth and neglecting the unfortunate people like Lazarus, the beggar. A similar lesson may be found in the parables of the pounds (Luke) or talents, (Matthew).

From the fact that the servants were given sums of money to trade we may see a lesson in the right use of such responsibilities. Jesus was not against riches; He numbered among his friends women in Galilee who helped Him from their incomes (Luke), some of his followers such as Levi, the tax-collector and the man who provided the room for the Last Supper were probably rich people. It was against the misuse of riches and dangers that He warned men. Jesus was concerned about a man’s “true treasure.” Reliance on wealth tends to make man its slave, hardening him against appeals of pity or duty. This was the fault of the “rich, foolish man” — not that he gained riches or sought to store his goods, but that he considered that his life was self-sufficient.

The point is emphasised in the sermon — “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” Jesus preached: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth....but treasures in Heaven,” ie with God. Men must be single-minded. “You cannot serve God and mammon.” (ie wealth). A man may gain the “whole world” of material things and lose the most important part — his own life or soul. Let us not forget Jesus’ doctrine on wealth; for this world is transient while the next world is permanent.

AHAMAD KHAYYAM
Curepe