Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium - 1.2

I. A joy ever new, a joy which is shared

The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ.

This reminded me of St. Luke's words:

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. 16:13

Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." 12:15


And other verses:

But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:17

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 Jn 2:15

So the wage of every covetous man destroys the souls of the possessors. Pro 1:19