How to Understand the concept of "Rich"

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 20th Week - Tuesday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 19:23-30*

*First Reading - Jgs 6:11-24a*

*How to Understand the concept of "Rich"*

*Jesus says "It will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven"*

*1) The difficulties for the Rich to enter into Heaven*

The Gospel of the day, speaks about the difficulties and challenges of rich people entering into heaven 

Jesus says *"it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”*

This appears to be very challenging and at times scary, to many. So in this context how to understand the concept of Rich 

*2) The Concept of rich can be analysed in the following ways*

*A) Rich in Wordly Things*

This is the most common understanding of the concept of Rich 

Those people who have lots of wealth, property, money, gold and silver could be considered as rich people. 

*B) Riches not used for the wellbeing of the other*

It is not wrong to become rich. But the question is what do we do with our riches 

The riches which is not used for the wellbeing of others, which is not used for the most needy brothers and sisters, will put the person into trouble. Such riches will have no value and the person who possess this riches will face hard time to enter into the Kingdom of heaven 

*C) The ways through which one becomes rich*

There are many ways through which one can become rich 

The just and sincere way. This way is most accepted and it is morally right way 

But there are short cuts in becoming rich. Use of muscle power, use of political power, use of force and violence, cheating, unjust ways, taking the advantage and making profit, when people are in difficulty, etc. All these are unjust ways and the people those who become rich through these ways, will have hard time to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven 

*D) Riches are pure God's blessing, but it can become a curse in ones life*

There is no doubt that riches are purely God's gift. Without God's blessing one can't become rich 

But the same riches may become curse, when God given riches are used only for the self, selfish purpose, when one refuses to share it with the most needy, and when it is hoarded without using it, when it is most needed 

Such riches will turn into curse, because the same riches will become a hurdle for the person to get into the kingdom of heaven

*3) Riches in themselves neither Good or Bad*

Riches either become good or bad, depending on how we use it. 

If it is used for good purpose, it will become good 

If it is used for only selfish purpose, it will turn into a hurdle to enter into the kingdom of God.

*4) All of us are Rich*

God has created us with riches which can't be valued 

The rich things that we have are the following

Good health, eyes, ears, reason, working hearts, powerful hands, strong leggs, miraculous brain, mysterious internal organs, sense of touch, smell and emotions. No money on this earth can buy these things 

When we consider all these things, all of us are really rich and we are not poor. God has created us very rich 

Then the question is what do we do with these riches? 

Are we using it to build the kingdom of God or Our own kingdom? 

Depending on the purpose, our riches will be valued by God. 

*Let the riches in my Life may not become a hurdle to enter into the Kingdom of God*

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*