「富人難進天國」（瑪19:23），因為財富令人心高氣傲，自以為神（則28:5-6）。所謂「一山不能藏二虎」，所以天主厭惡偶像；「十誡」亦已清楚地禁止崇拜偶像，更何況那些把自己封神的人，他們又怎能進入天國呢？所以耶穌基督在「真福八端」，教導我們捨棄財富，因為財富鼓勵我們挑戰天主，不再信靠祂。另一方面，心高氣傲的人所行的愛德工作，難免帶有施捨成份，不會尊重受惠者。這樣做便完全喪失了愛德工作的意義，就是令受惠者成長進步。試問「嗟來之食」，又怎能提高受惠者的尊嚴呢？不愛天主，不愛近人，又怎能得到永生呢（瑪19:16）？
財富並不是惟一令人心高氣傲的事物。成就、名譽和權勢有著同樣，甚至更強勁，令人迷失的功效！有成就，有權勢更容易令人挑戰天主。謙遜認罪，恐怕是惟一的解藥！要謙遜認罪，談何容易，真的比駱駝穿過針孔還要難（19:24）！人可以執迷不悟，但天主是慈悲的，是大能的，祂既可令法郎心硬（出4:21），亦可令法郎放以色列人離開埃及（12:31）。法郎便是一個活生生，自以為神的例子！天主的大能，連法郎也可以玩弄於指掌之間。世上的一切政權，又怎能與天主相比呢（詠89:7）？
耶穌基督來到世上，教導世人獲得永生的途徑：就是藉著捨棄世上的財富，成就，名譽和權勢，跟隨祂，造就身邊的弱勢社群，換來天上的永生。捨棄這一切，便可以與生命的主宰結合。這永生，又何止是現世的財富、成就、名譽和權勢的百倍哩！
天父啊！請賜下聖神的智慧，讓我們渴慕祢，多於渴慕俗世的財富權勢。亞孟！
圖片鳴謝：https://catholicfundamentalism.com/camels-clever-catholics/15775
生命恩泉
Why is wealth a Stumbling Block to Eternal Life? (Matthew 19:23-30) "It will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:23), because wealth makes a person haughty, pretending themselves a god in heart (Ezekiel 28:5-6). As a Chinese idiom goes, "A mountain cannot accommodate two tigers". God hates idolatry. The Ten Commandments also clearly forbids the worship of idols. Making oneself a god is even worse than idolatry. How can they enter the Kingdom of heaven? Therefore, Jesus Christ teaches us to abandon wealth because wealth encourages us to challenge God and not to trust in Him. On the other hand, the charitable works performed by haughty people would carry an air of alms-giving. The beneficiary would not be respected. In doing so, the meaning of charitable works, which is to help the beneficiary grow and develop, is totally lost. Without respect, how can the dignity of the beneficiary be enhanced? How can one inherit eternal life without loving God and one's neighbours (Matthew 19:16)?
Wealth is not the only thing which makes people arrogant. Achievements, fame and authority are as capable, if not more powerful, to make people lose their souls! People with achievements and authority are more likely to be prone to challenging God. I'm afraid confessing one's sins humbly is the only antidote! How difficult it is to confess one's sins humbly! It is truly more difficult than a camel passing through the eye of a needle (19:24)! Man's heart can be hard, but God is merciful and almighty. He was able to harden Pharaoh's heart (Exodus 4:21), and to make him release the Israelites (12:31). Pharaoh was a prime example of people who claim divinity. God is so powerful as to toy with Pharaoh. Which sovereignty on earth is able to rank with the Lord (Psalm 89:7)?
Jesus Christ comes down on earth to teach us the path to eternal life: to abandon wealth, achievements, fame and authority and follow Him. Build up the disadvantaged in exchange for an eternal life in heaven. Forsaking all these and one is able to unite with the Lord of life. This eternal life is definitely worth more than one hundred times the wealth, achievements, fame and authority in the secular world!
Heavenly Father! Grant us the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Let us desire You more than wealth and power on earth. Amen.
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