Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time

Rich in Possessions, Poor in Spirit: A Call to Let Go and Follow Christ

In the Gospel of Matthew 19:23–30, Jesus speaks with unwavering clarity to His disciples: ‘Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.’ These words follow the encounter with the rich young man, a man who sincerely sought eternal life but could not part with his many possessions. His heart was tethered not just to wealth, but to what that wealth represented: comfort, control, and identity.

Jesus’ teaching is shocking. Not because wealth is inherently evil, but because of how easily it can possess us. Our possessions, if we are not vigilant, can begin to possess our hearts.

This message feels especially relevant today. Consider how quickly self-storage buildings are rising in our communities. They’re becoming a common sight on the outskirts of town and even tucked away in neighborhoods. What do these buildings say about us? They point to a culture that is not only wealthy but overwhelmed by what it owns—so much so that we need extra space just to hold it all. We pay monthly to store items we may never use again—things we’ve forgotten, things we thought we needed at one time but now simply sit gathering dust.

Jesus’ words invite us to reflect: If we’re so full of material things, how can we have room in our hearts for the kingdom of God? Our culture often prizes accumulation. Fulfillment is sold to us with every advertisement—more comfort, more tools, more upgrades. But Jesus tells us plainly: this outward abundance can be an inward burden.

Saint John Chrysostom, reflecting on this passage, reminds us, ‘Riches are not forbidden, nor is poverty commanded; but to use riches well is enjoined, and of poverty the danger is taught.’ That is, neither wealth nor poverty, in themselves, are virtuous or sinful. What matters is how our hearts relate to them. If we clutch wealth tightly, we risk missing the call of Christ. If we hold what we have with open hands, using it for others, then even great wealth can become a tool for grace.

When Peter says, ‘We have left everything and followed you,’ Jesus assures him that such sacrifice is not forgotten. Those who give up anything for His sake and the sake of the Gospel will receive so much more—an inheritance that cannot rot or be stolen, eternal life.

Finally, Jesus reminds us that ‘many who are first will be last, and the last first.’ In God’s kingdom, the measure of greatness is not in how much we own, but in how much we love, how freely we give, and how faithfully we follow.

Let us ask ourselves: What are we storing up? Possessions or treasures in heaven? Are we so busy preserving what we have that we miss the joy of giving and the freedom of living lightly in this world?

May the Lord give us the grace to let go of anything that weighs us down and to follow Him in trust and simplicity, storing up treasures that will never pass away.