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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"But they that will be rich"; not those that are rich, but those who wish to be. For a man may have money and make a good use of it, not overvaluing it, but bestowing it upon the poor. Such therefore he does not blame, but the covetous. "They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition." He has justly said, "they drown men," since they cannot be raised from that depth. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
The Apostle persuades with a proof taken from this world. I do not touch upon the future, he says, but look at what happens here. He did not say "those who are rich," but "those who desire to be rich." For anyone, even while possessing wealth, can manage it well, because to despise it and distribute it to the poor is not the act of those who desire to be rich. "They fall into temptation and a snare," since they sin against the faith, and are surrounded by dangers on account of their wealth, and fear everyone. …
Oecumenius
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires, some of which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. Paul does not speak of those who use wealth well, but of those who desire it. And the desirer would not share it with another, so that the things of desire would not be diminished for him. who desire to be rich. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
He did not say: Those who are rich. He said: Those who seek to become rich.… The name of riches is, as it were, sweet-sounding to the ear. But, "many vain and harmful desires"—does that sound sweet? To be "involved in many troubles"—does that sound sweet? Do not be so misled by one false good that you will thereby cling to many real evils.
Thomas Aquinas
Above, the Apostle showed what sort of gain is suitable for Christians, namely, godliness with contentment; here he shows that those who seek superfluous gain in riches incur great harm: first, he indicates the evils that issue from an indiscriminate desire for wealth; second, he assigns the reason, at for the desire of money. But two sorts of evils follow: some spring from the enemy without, and others from one's own concupiscence, at into many unprofitable and hurtful desires. …
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