Have you ever noticed how much the passage below is ignored?
In fact, it’s often twisted around.
But it is plain and it speaks the truth and the bottom line is what the Pope said Sunday: that we cannot serve both God and wealth; that we choose Him or the world.
Too many preach gaining wealth even as a Christian ministry!
Popular? Oh yes. Right?
Dead wrong.
The passage was the Mass reading Friday September 19 (1 Timothy 6:2c-12):
+
“Beloved: Teach and urge these things.
+
Whoever teaches something different and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious teaching is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes.
+
From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions, and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds, who are deprived of the truth, supposing religion to be a means of gain.
+
Indeed, 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.
+
If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that.
+
Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction.
+
For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.
+
But you, man of God, avoid all this.
+
Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.
+
Compete well for the faith.
+
Lay hold of eternal life…
+