Seeking First God’s Kingdom!

In 1 Timothy 6:2–12, St. Paul addressing Timothy warns about false teachers who see religion as a means for profit and reminds us that authentic faith is not about wealth or prestige, but about “godliness with contentment.” The love of money, he says, is the root of many evils.

Chasing riches enslaves the heart, blinds the spirit, and leads to ruin.

Instead of striving for fleeting gain, Paul exhorts Timothy to pursue what lasts: “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.” To live as a disciple means to fight the good fight of faith, to resist greed and temptation, and to grasp eternal life. Paul’s words remind us that the true measure of life is not how much we accumulate but how faithfully we live.

The Gospel (Luke 8:1–3) gives us a living example of this teaching. As Jesus traveled from town to town proclaiming the Kingdom of God, we see a group of women: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and others who used their resources to support His mission. Unlike those Paul warns against, who used religion for personal gain, these women used their possessions for the sake of the Gospel. Their generosity and detachment show that wealth can serve God’s purposes when it is surrendered in love.

The question for us is this: do we cling to what perishes, or do we invest in what endures?

Friends, St. Paul reminds us that the secret to freedom and the antidote to greed is contentment, and the Gospel shows us that the secret to fulfillment is generosity. Christ calls us not to hoard for ourselves but to let our lives, our gifts, and even our possessions bear fruit for His Kingdom. When we do, like Timothy and the women of the Gospel, our lives become a testimony that faith is our true treasure.

Lord Jesus, free us from the love of money and worldly greed.

Teach us the joy of contentment and the beauty of generosity. Like the women who supported You and the disciples who followed You, may we put our gifts at Your service and fight the good fight of faith until we share eternal life with You.

Amen.