Trying to teach my children about money can be a wonderful thing, or it can be a wonderful exercise in patience. Most of the time the idea of saving is lost on them. It is not until it is too late that they understand.
One of my children had a strong love of Pokemon cards. He just loved to collect them, and I didn't mind. However, I noticed that just about the time my son had 5$ saved from chores he almost immediately had a new pack of cards. For a short time I tried to explain that if he were to save his money and wait that 5$ could easily be 20$ or 50$ and he could get something much nicer. He had none of my advice. He liked the cards. He wanted them and so he bought them quickly as he could. Sad was the day though that we went to the store and he saw something wonderful, however it cost a bit over 10$. My son was crushed because he didn't have enough for it and did not understand why I would not just buy it for him.
As an adult life is much the same. I could fill my coffers with "stuff". I can follow the path of the world and run from shiny treat to shiny treat. I can spend my days being a slave of consumption. I can even go so far as to treat people like things and use them to my will and throw them away when I am done with them. God calls me to do different though. Would God be happy if I rid myself of all possessions and gave any excess to the poor, yes. Does he demand it, no. What is important to God is that I love him with all my mind body and soul. He wants me to love everyone on this planet as I love myself. God simply wants love and compassion because God knows that love is true happiness. It is true happiness that lasts longer than the pleasure from a cheeseburger, fleeting sex or a deck of Pokemon cards.
God wants us to grow and learn how to love so that we can coexist with him in heaven. For eternal peace and happiness doesn't work if those involved cannot love. That is the prime reason we have so much discontent here on earth. Am I perfect? No, I am a sinner trying each day to love better and stronger. I try and ignore Satan's temptation to merely serve my own selfish desires. I try and ignore the pull of hate towards those that hurt me and mine. Only with God’s grace can I become what he desires, so I ask for God's help. I work to feed the hungry, donate to those that heal the sick and love those that feel unwanted for I know one day my frail body will die and my soul will need a new home. Most importantly I work to make God my best friend and confidant. I pray, attend mass, study and partake in the sacraments which God has gifted to me. Eternity will begin one day and I won't be able to take anything with me. So I ask myself do I want to rise with love to my God to heaven where inconceivable treasures lie or do I wish to fall to hell and all that Satan has waiting for me? I guess the real question is, how badly do I want that pack of Pokemon cards?
Romans 8:18-25
18I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God; 20for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope; 21because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; 23and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Psalms 126:1-6
1When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. 2Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." 3The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. 4Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb! 5May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy! 6He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Luke 13:18-21
18He said therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches." 20And again he said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened."
No comments:
Post a Comment