Great abundance of riches cannot be gathered and kept by any man without sin

Great abundance of riches cannot be gathered and kept by any man without sin

Desiderius Erasmus, a renowned Dutch philosopher and theologian of the Renaissance period, was a firm believer in the idea that great abundance of riches cannot be gathered and kept by any man without sin. This belief was deeply rooted in his Christian faith and his understanding of the teachings of the Bible.

Erasmus was critical of the pursuit of wealth and material possessions, viewing it as a distraction from the true purpose of life – to serve God and others. He believed that the love of money was the root of all evil, as stated in the Bible, and that those who sought after riches were often led astray from the path of righteousness.

In his famous work, "The Praise of Folly," Erasmus satirically criticized the greed and corruption of the Catholic Church, which he believed had strayed from its original mission of serving the poor and spreading the message of Christ. He saw the accumulation of wealth and power by church officials as a betrayal of their calling and a hindrance to true spiritual growth.

Erasmus also believed that the pursuit of riches often led to unethical behavior and moral compromise. He saw how the desire for wealth could corrupt individuals and societies, leading to greed, dishonesty, and exploitation of others. He believed that true happiness and fulfillment could not be found in material possessions, but in a life of virtue, humility, and service to others.

For Erasmus, the true measure of a person's worth was not in their wealth or status, but in their character and actions. He believed that those who sought after riches at the expense of their integrity and moral values were ultimately doomed to spiritual poverty.