The above question as framed is misleading and distorts the whole question of how money is viewed in the Gospels. Let me first take the historical background. Most Jews at the time of Jesus accepted the traditional belief that financial prosperity was a blessing from God, and they prayed for it. Jesus, on the contrary, had a strongly critical view of ‘mammon’ (Aramaic for ‘possessions’ which included money), and insisted that his disciples learn to do completely without it.

Myron J. Pereira, SJ

The author is a voracious reader and lives at Campion School, Mumbai.