MAMMON (MONEY) AND GOD
Jesus taught that we cannot serve both God and money, using the Aramaic term “mammon” to refer to wealth and material possessions. This teaching highlights the fundamental conflict that can arise between devotion to God and attachment to worldly riches.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus states: “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Mt 6:24). This stark contrast emphasizes that our ultimate loyalty must be to God alone.
The Church Fathers and Catholic tradition have long reflected on the spiritual dangers of excessive attachment to wealth. St. Augustine wrote that “the love of money is the root of all evils” (echoing 1 Tim 6:10). Similarly, St. Thomas Aquinas taught that avarice, or greed for material goods, is one of the seven deadly sins.
However, Catholic teaching does not condemn wealth or private property in itself. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “The right to private property, acquired or received in a just way, does not do away with the original gift of the earth to the whole of mankind” (CCC 2403). What matters is how we use our material resources and whether we place them at the service of God and neighbor.
Jesus often used examples from daily life to illustrate spiritual truths. Just as a servant cannot be loyal to two masters simultaneously, we cannot divide our ultimate allegiance between God and material possessions. Our use of money and resources should flow from our primary commitment to God.
The conflict arises not from wealth itself, but from our attitude towards it. Do we see our possessions as gifts from God to be used for His glory and the good of others? Or do we hoard wealth selfishly, trusting in riches rather than divine providence? As Jesus taught, “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Mt 6:21).
The Gospel recounts how some disciples struggled to understand Jesus’ teachings on wealth. When he told the rich young man to sell all he had and give to the poor, the disciples were astonished and asked, “Then who can be saved?” (Mk 10:26). Jesus replied that what is impossible for humans is possible for God, emphasizing the need for grace to overcome attachment to riches.
We see positive examples in Scripture of those who used wealth virtuously. Zacchaeus, upon encountering Christ, pledged to give half his possessions to the poor and repay fourfold anyone he had cheated (Lk 19:8). Joseph of Arimathea used his resources to provide a tomb for Jesus’ body. These individuals placed their material goods at the service of God and neighbor.
The early Christian community in Acts provides a model of detachment from possessions: “All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need” (Acts 2:44-45). While not requiring absolute poverty, this example challenges us to hold our resources lightly and share generously.
REFLECTION
As Christians today, we are called to examine our relationship with money and material goods. Do we trust in God’s providence or anxiously hoard wealth? Are we generous in giving to those in need? Do we use our resources to build up the Kingdom of God? Regular almsgiving, simplicity of life, and detachment from possessions can help cultivate the proper spiritual attitude.
Ultimately, we are stewards rather than owners of the goods entrusted to us. Everything we have comes from God and belongs to Him. Our task is to use these gifts wisely and generously, always keeping our hearts fixed on heavenly treasures that will never fade. As St. Paul reminds us, “For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it” (1 Tim 6:7).
May we heed Christ’s words and seek first the Kingdom of God, trusting that all else will be given to us besides (Mt 6:33). Let us strive to be rich in what matters to God, storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. Through prayer, discernment, and the grace of the Holy Spirit, may we learn to use our material resources in a way that serves God and neighbor, freeing our hearts to love the Lord above all else.
As Christians, we are reminded that our true wealth lies in our relationship with God and our ability to love and serve others. By placing our trust in God’s providence and using our resources for His glory, we can ensure that our hearts remain focused on the eternal treasures of heaven. Let us continually strive to live out this calling with faith, generosity, and a spirit of detachment from worldly possessions.