On the Lapsed 12

But how can those follow Christ who are held back by the bond of property? Or how can those seek heaven and climb to the high and lofty places who are weighed down by earthly desires? They think they possess who are rather possessed: slaves of their wealth, not masters of their money but rather bondmen of money. The apostle points to this time and these men, saying, “But those who wish to become rich fall into temptation and a snare and many hurtful desires which plunge a man into perdition and destruction. For covetousness is the root of all evils; by desiring it some have strayed from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” And with what rewards does the Lord invite us to contempt of property? With what wages does he repay these small and slight losses of this present time? “There is no one,” he says, “who leaves house or field or parents or brothers or wife or children for the sake of the kingdom of God who will not receive sevenfold in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.” Knowing this, and assured by the truth of God who promises it, one should not only not fear such a loss but should even desire it, as the Lord himself again proclaims and warns: “Blessed will you be when they persecute you and separate you and drive you out and curse your name as evil for the sake of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and exult: for behold, your reward is great in heaven.”