THE DANGER OF WEALTH

 *FRIDAY, September 22, 2023* 

Weekday (24)

First Reading. 1 Timothy 6: 2-12

Psalm. 49: 6-10, 17-20 (R. Mt 5:3)

Gospel. Luke 8: 1-3

TOPIC FOR REFLECTION

 *THE DANGER OF MATERIAL WEALTH: THE LOVE OF MONEY* 

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣, I can't just stop laughing, please I would appreciate it if you could take some moments to laugh with me 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 

Anyway, let's not over laugh, so that our teeth will not fall off.

The reason for my laughing is this:

In Nigeria and Africa at large, we tend to claim to be more religious than other Asian, European and American countries. These are the countries we condemned to have lost the sense of God and Morality; yet, they are our dream countries to travel to such as Dubai, Egypt, USA, UK, Germany, China, etc.

In fact, it is the prayer intention of most pastors and church members: hmmm...

Is this not hypocrisy? 

Does it mean we want to become unreligious like them according to our claim?

These countries we think do not know God have respect for human life and dignity, developed their countries, and respect the rights of every citizen; while we that claim to know God; kill, maim, and destroy lives and property, majorly because of MONEY.

Now, tell me, who knows God between Africa and other countries? 

My dear, let us not deceive ourselves, many of us in Africa are only EMOTIONAL RELIGIOUS, BUT DO NOT KNOW GOD. If we knew God, we would have respect for human life.

Let me tell you, the moment we see money as the order of the day, we can never know God. In fact, some people's dictum is:

"God governs the earth, while money rules the world"

Nowadays, every individual wants money,  

The church and mosque leaders: money.

The church and mosque followers: money.

Now, since the majority are clamouring for material wealth as a yardstick of God's blessings, how would there not be 

1. Bribing and corruption 

2. Money ritual 

3. Kidnapping and abduction for money

4. Killing for money

5. Selling of conscience for money. 

This is what St. Paul was addressing Timothy in today's first reading saying that anyone who does not agrees with the teachings of Jesus usually has a craving for controversy which produces envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, and wrangling among man who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, such imagines that godliness is a means of selfish gain. 

Although, there is great gain in godliness With contentment; for we 

brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world; vanity upon vanity, all is vanity.

On the contrary, those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that lead men into ruin and destruction. 

 *The love of money is the root of all evil.* 

It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs. But as for you, man of God, shun all this; aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Finally, am pleased to tell you that money is good, but do not allow it to control you, rather be the person to control the money.

 *Peace ✌️ be with you* 

 *Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS.*