The prophet Amos announces that Israel’s great wealth is a cause not for rejoicing but rather sorrow, because God’s people have forgotten how to share their wealth with the poor. The wealthy will be the first to go into exile when judgement comes.

Timothy is reminded of the confession he made at his baptism and of its implications for daily life. His priorities will be different from those of people who merely want to be rich.

Jesus tells a parable in which the poor one is “lifted up” and the rich one is “sent away empty”. Jesus makes it clear that this ethic of merciful reversal is not new but is as old as Moses and the prophets.