Pope says too much wealth, greed could compromise one's salvation

Published: 2007-08-06

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- Too much wealth and greed could "seriously compromise" one's salvation, Pope Benedict XVI said, adding that the real treasure humanity should strive for is Christ. It is a thing of "wisdom and virtue to not set one's heart on the things of this world, because everything passes, everything can suddenly come to an end," he said before reciting the Angelus prayer Aug. 5. While one's earthly possessions and material wealth can be a necessity that are good in and of themselves, they are "not to be considered an absolute good," he told those gathered in the courtyard of the papal summer residence south of Rome. Wealth "does not ensure salvation, rather it could even seriously compromise it," he said. Christ, the pope said, warned people to guard against greed and becoming attached to earthly possessions. "The true treasure we Christians have to tirelessly seek out lies in 'what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God,'" he said, quoting a Bible passage from Paul's Letter to the Colossians.

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