In today’s first reading, St. Paul gives us one of the most quoted lines in all of Scripture today: “The love of money is the root of all evils.” It’s important to notice that he does not say money itself is evil. Money is a tool, something necessary for daily life; life is too complex for a barter system. 

At the beginning of this passage, the author warns against those who treat religion as a way of personal gain—using faith to acquire status, comfort, or wealth. For the most part, in our parishes and communities, this is not where most of us fall. Few people come to Mass in hopes of making money. Most are here out of love for God, a desire for prayer, and the need for grace.

But then we go out into the world and go to work … if we are not able to earn it the old fashioned way: inherit it … or win the Powerball lottery.