To All Clergy, Religious, and Faithful in Christ,
Beloved Brethren,
Grace and peace be with you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
One of the most insidious evils of our age is the worship of wealth and the enslavement of the human heart to material possessions. In a world governed by consumption, luxury, and the relentless pursuit of gain, the message of the Gospel stands in contrast: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). The culture of excess that surrounds us has become a form of idolatry, exalting wealth to the place that belongs only to God.
From the beginning, the Bible warns that greed blinds the soul and corrodes charity. The Apostle Paul wrote, “The love of money is the root of all evils; which some coveting after have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10). The pursuit of wealth, when detached from justice and mercy, becomes a false god that demands the sacrifice of compassion, humility, and truth. It hardens the heart, distorts priorities, and enslaves those who imagine themselves free.
Christ our Lord lived in simplicity and detachment, owning nothing yet possessing all. He identified Himself not with the powerful or affluent, but with the poor, the humble, and the outcast. His call remains the same: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19–20). The disciple who seeks to follow Christ must therefore renounce greed and cultivate contentment, generosity, and trust in divine providence.
We denounce the modern idolatry that prizes luxury above virtue, consumption above conscience, and wealth above wisdom. Such idolatry has invaded not only economies and marketplaces but also the human spirit. It tempts believers to measure worth by possession rather than by holiness, and to value appearance above substance. The Gospel calls us instead to simplicity of life, stewardship of creation, and compassion for those in need. Possessions are not evil in themselves, but when they possess the heart, they become chains that bind the soul.
True freedom lies not in accumulation but in detachment. To be poor in spirit, as the Lord teaches in the Beatitudes, is not to despise the good things of the earth, but to hold them lightly, recognising that all things belong to God and are lent to us for His glory. We are not called to hoard, but to share; not to grasp, but to give; not to exalt himself through wealth, but to serve through generosity. As it is written, “It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).
We exhort the faithful to examine their consciences regarding their use of money, time, and resources. Let the wealthy remember their duty to the poor. Let every household resist the seduction of wasteful luxury. Let parishes and institutions embody simplicity and charity, ensuring that their possessions serve the Gospel rather than obscure it. Acts of generosity, given in secret and without expectation, are treasures stored in heaven, where neither corruption nor decay can reach.
To those burdened by the anxiety of material want, we say: trust in God, for He knows what His children need. To those blessed with abundance, we say: give freely, for “to whom much is given, much shall be required” (Luke 12:48). In both poverty and plenty, Christ must remain our true possession.
May the Holy Spirit teach us contentment and release us from the bondage of greed. May we be purifed of the desires of our hearts, that we might live not for gain but for grace, not for accumulation but for communion. Then shall we become a people rich in mercy, radiant in generosity, and free to serve the Lord with undivided hearts.
Given this day under my hand and seal, at Nashville, Tennessee, this 12th day of October, in the Year of Our Lord 2025.
+ Mar Mattai