+ And they were content, those followers and companions and disciples of Jesus, including the Twelve, and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities.
They cared for each other and shared their resources. Their journeys were spiritual journeys where they were seeking not financial wealth but spiritual riches that satisfied and indeed were a very sharing in the kingdom of God.
And Paul was adamant in his advice, specifically not to seek riches and to store up all the gains they could for themselves.
Paul — apparently the author of this famous phrase — reminds them that “the love of money is the root of all evils.”
And, in effect he said, “You can’t take it with you.”
Talk about an eternal message and eternal advice.
Apparently, this truth has been around as long as we have lived — this desire for riches, a “temptation and a trap.”
Paul’s advice to Timothy is his advice to us, and certainly must have been what Jesus would have said as he traveled those journeys with the Twelve and those women.
Simply and profoundly spoken in the final words of this passage today from Paul as addressed to Timothy, “But you, man of God, avoid all of this. Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life.”
It does not get any better, more direct, more specific or more clear than that.
Eternal life — it is now! It is tomorrow! It is forever.
And that is the richest thing of all.
Father Perry Dean Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com.
