For Love or Money: Lesson Plan on Wealth

Start with a “Camel through the Eye of a Needle” race. In this activity, youth will crawl on all fours with a saddlebag through an obstacle course. For detailed instructions, see the Camel through the Eye of a Needle race.

After the race, discuss the following questions:

• What strategies helped you get through the course? What didn’t work?
• Was this race difficult? Why?
• Would it have been easier without the saddlebags filled with balloons?

Read the Gospel:

Mark 10:17-30 (Jesus and the rich young man) – the Gospel Reading for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B

Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.”]

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.

You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.”

He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”

Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”

[Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.”

Mark 10:17-30

Jesus is telling us to be careful about wealth. “The eye of a needle” is an expression for a very narrow gate. Jesus wants us to know that being focused on material goods will make it difficult to walk down the path of discipleship.

The young man who asked the question was not a bad person. He was following the commandments. But Jesus was asking for his whole heart. And that can be a difficult thing to give away, especially if it seems like you are being asked to give up a lot. The challenge is not just about giving up wealth but about trusting completely in God.

Wealth in itself is not bad. Jesus does not say that. But attachment to wealth can lead us astray. If we hold on too tightly to our money and possessions, they can become a false god. We can start thinking that all of the blessings in our lives are because of our own merits and forget that all we have comes from God and belongs to God. This false sense of security in material things can make us less reliant on God’s grace and mercy.

St. Ignatius of Loyola spoke about indifference to wealth and other blessings in our lives. He taught that we should use the things of this world only to the extent that they help us achieve our ultimate purpose: to praise, reverence, and serve God, and by doing so, to save our souls. According to St. Ignatius, we ought to rid ourselves of anything that gets in the way of this goal.

God created human beings to praise, reverence, and serve God, and by doing this, to save their souls.

God created all other things on the face of the earth to help fulfill this purpose.

From this it follows that we are to use the things of this world only to the extent that they help us to this end, and we ought to rid ourselves of the things of this world to the extent that they get in the way of this end.

For this it is necessary to make ourselves indifferent to all created things as much as we are able, so that we do not necessarily want health rather than sickness, riches rather than poverty, honor rather than dishonor, a long rather than a short life, and so in all the rest, so that we ultimately desire and choose only what is most conducive for us to the end for which God created us.

The First Principle and Foundation – From the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola

This principle means that we should not desire wealth, health, or even a long life if these things do not lead us closer to God. We should be indifferent to all created things, not because they are bad, but because they should not control our choices. Our ultimate desire should be to choose what is most conducive to the end for which God created us.

For example, if my weekend job makes it impossible for me to go to Sunday Mass, then I have a choice to make. I can choose to continue working there and not fulfill my Sunday obligation, or I can tell my boss that I need time off for Mass and trust that whatever happens, God will provide for me. This kind of decision reflects a priority on spiritual well-being over material gain.

We do not know what happened to the young man in the story after he left Jesus. Perhaps he went home and never paid attention to Jesus again. But maybe, after some reflection, he did take leave of his possessions to follow Jesus. This story reminds us that we all have opportunities to make the right choice, to put God first in our lives. It is a call to examine our own attachments and to strive for a heart wholly given to God, free from the distractions of wealth and materialism.

After completing the activities and discussions, gather in small groups for reflection. This is a time to connect the lesson to personal experiences and deepen understanding. Encourage open and respectful sharing.

• Personal Reflection on Wealth: How do you view wealth and possessions in your life? Have you ever felt like your focus on material things distracted you from your faith? How did you handle it?
• Challenges of Discipleship: What are some challenges you face when trying to follow Jesus fully? How can letting go of material attachments help you overcome these challenges?
• Trust in God’s Plan: When have you had to trust God instead of relying on your own resources? How did that experience strengthen your faith?
• Use of Resources: How can you use your resources to help others and serve God? What are some practical ways you can be more generous in your daily life?
• Identifying False Gods: What are some “false gods” or distractions in your life? How can you refocus your priorities to put God first?

Encourage participants to share their thoughts and listen to others. Remind them that the goal is to grow in understanding and strengthen their faith.

This week’s challenge might be tough, but it’s meant to help us grow. Choose something you regularly use and enjoy, and give it away to charity. This could be a piece of clothing you love, a gadget you often use, or a book you frequently read. The idea is to pick something that has real value to you, not just something you no longer want or need.

Additionally, resist the urge to immediately replace what you’ve given away. This is an opportunity to experience detachment from material things and reflect on how much you rely on them. It helps you focus more on what truly matters and trust that God will provide for your needs. By giving away something meaningful, you practice generosity and selflessness, and you might discover a new sense of freedom and gratitude.

To conclude the lesson, gather everyone together and pray the Suscipe or another prayer of your choice. The Suscipe, written by St. Ignatius of Loyola, is a powerful prayer of surrender and trust in God. It asks God to take everything we have and are, including our possessions, desires, and freedom, and to give us only His love and grace in return. This prayer aligns well with the themes of detachment and generosity discussed in the lesson.

You can find a printable copy of the Suscipe prayer at this link. This prayer is a meaningful way to end your session, reinforcing the message of trusting in God’s plan and letting go of material attachments.

Themes for the For Love or Money Lesson Plan on Wealth

• Detachment from Wealth: Jesus teaches us not to cling to money and possessions. We should be willing to let go of things that can distract us from following Him. This detachment helps us to focus on what truly matters.
• God as Provider: Everything we have comes from God. We should trust in His care and not rely solely on our wealth. Recognizing God as our provider helps us to be generous and grateful.
• Use of Wealth: Wealth should be used to serve others and glorify God. It is not just for our comfort or pleasure. Using wealth wisely means helping those in need and supporting the Church.
• Avoiding Greed: Greed can lead us away from God. We should guard against the desire for more and more wealth. Contentment and generosity are key virtues to cultivate.
• Focus on Eternal Life: Our ultimate goal is to be with God forever. Wealth can be a distraction from this goal. We should always remember that our true treasure is in heaven.
• Responsibility of Wealth: Having wealth comes with responsibility. We must use it justly and not oppress others. Being responsible stewards means making ethical choices with our resources.
• Humility and Simplicity: Jesus calls us to live simply and humbly. This means valuing people over possessions. A simple life allows us to focus more on our relationship with God.
• Charity and Almsgiving: We are called to be charitable and to give to those in need. Almsgiving is a way to share our blessings. It helps us to grow in love and compassion.
• Prioritizing Faith: Our faith should come before wealth and material goods. We should not compromise our beliefs for the sake of gaining money. Putting God first guides our decisions and actions.
• Trust in God’s Plan: We may not always understand why we have or lack certain things. Trusting in God’s plan means accepting both abundance and scarcity. God knows what is best for us and provides accordingly.
• Community Support: Wealth can be used to support our faith community. This includes helping the Church and its missions. By sharing our resources, we strengthen the body of Christ.

Background on Wealth in Catholic Teaching

The Catholic Church teaches that wealth itself is not bad, but how we use and view it is important. The Bible, the Catechism, and teachings of the saints provide guidance on this issue.

In the Bible, Jesus often spoke about wealth and possessions. In Mark 10:17-30, Jesus encounters a rich young man who asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells him to sell what he has, give to the poor, and follow Him. The young man leaves sadly because he has great possessions. Jesus then says, “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” This passage shows that attachment to wealth can make it hard to follow Jesus.

The Church teaches that wealth should not be our primary focus. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The tenth commandment forbids greed and the desire to amass earthly goods without limit. It forbids avarice arising from a passion for riches and their attendant power” (CCC 2536). This means we should not be overly attached to money or material things. Instead, we should use our resources to help others and serve God.

St. Ignatius of Loyola, in his “Spiritual Exercises,” speaks about being indifferent to wealth and other material things. He teaches that we should only desire what leads us closer to God. This attitude of indifference helps us to use wealth rightly, without becoming attached to it.

Another important teaching comes from St. Thomas Aquinas. He wrote that the goods of the earth are meant for everyone, not just a few. This means that those who have wealth have a duty to use it to help others. This is often called the “universal destination of goods.” It reminds us that wealth is not just for personal use but should benefit the wider community.

Pope Francis has also spoken about wealth and poverty. He emphasizes the need for solidarity with the poor and warns against the dangers of consumerism. In his apostolic exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium,” he writes, “The worship of the ancient golden calf has returned in a new and ruthless guise in the idolatry of money and the dictatorship of an impersonal economy lacking a truly human purpose” (EG 55). He calls for a focus on the common good and a rejection of a culture that values money over people.

In summary, Catholic teaching does not condemn wealth itself but warns against being attached to it. The focus should be on using wealth for the good of others and not letting it become a distraction from our relationship with God. The Bible, the Catechism, and the teachings of saints and popes all guide us in understanding the proper use of wealth. This teaching helps us to live out our faith more fully and to serve God and our neighbors with the resources we have.

Music Suggestions for the For Love or Money Lesson Plan on Wealth

• Your Grace Is Enough
• There Is a Longing
• Take Lord Receive
• I Surrender All

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

Teachers, youth ministers, and catechists can find more free lesson plans and reflections on our website. These resources, including For Love or Money: A Lesson Plan on Wealth, are designed to help guide youth in their faith journey. Visit our free lesson plans page to explore a variety of topics and tools for teaching and inspiring young Catholics.