11th Week in Ord. Time, Friday – 18th June 2021 — Gospel: Mt 6,19-23
Mark of True Spirituality
We are accustomed to dividing life into the “spiritual” and the “material”; but Jesus made no such division. In many of His parables, Jesus made it clear that a right attitude towards wealth is a mark of true spirituality (Lk 12,13ff; 16,1-31). The Pharisees were covetous (Lk 16,14) and used religion to make money. In this section, Jesus breaks all human advice to provide for a financially secure future (Mt 6,19-21). Nowhere did Jesus magnify poverty or criticize the legitimate way of getting wealth. God has declared that all things He has made are good (Gen 1,31). God knows that we need certain things in order to live (Mt 6,32). He has given “richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim 6,17). However, there are many warnings against covetousness (Ex 20,17; Ps 119,36; Mk 7,22; Lk 12,1ff; Eph 5,5; Col 3,5). Jesus warned against the sin of living for the things of this life. He pointed out the sad consequences of covetousness and idolatry. He indicated that there is no security in material things. The only investments not subject to loss are treasures in heaven. If your treasures are in heaven, your interests will be centered there. Jesus pointed out that if we have the true righteousness of Christ in our lives, then we will have a proper attitude toward material wealth.
