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Surabaya Corner
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 LET'S
STORE RICHES IN HEAVEN
- By
Ramon Martillano
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- A famous
comedian once said: “The paradox of our time in history is
that we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy
less. We have bigger houses and more conveniences, but less
time to pray. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced
our values. We've learned how to make a living, but not a
life. We've added years to life, but not life to years. We've
done larger things, but not better things.”
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One time, a
close friend asked me, “How come some people are more
financially blessed than I am? I go to Church every Sunday and
even on weekdays if my time allows me. I help the poor by
sharing my time and blessings. I try my best to follow
the Ten Commandments. And yet, the financial blessings that I
receive are nothing compared with what these people are
getting. And to think that they do not even go to Church
regularly every Sunday! They do not help the poor, and worse,
they do not follow all of the Ten Commandments!” In reply, I
told my friend about John 6:27, “Do not work for food that
spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the
Son of Man will give you.”
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Let us aim
and store riches in heaven instead of storing worldly
treasures on earth, which we cannot bring anyway when we leave
this world. We should be
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content and
thankful with what we have, our gifts from God. And let us
keep on serving the Lord, be faithful to Him and continue to
accumulate riches in heaven. Further in 1 Timothy 6:7-9, “For we
brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of
it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with
that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a
trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men
into ruin and destruction.”
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Sometimes, we experience the same feelings as
my friend. However, we should not fall into this trap of the
devil; lose sight of our focus and decide to spend more time
earning more money, and have less time for the Lord and our
family. And we should never equate our good deeds with the
financial blessings that we expect to receive.
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But again, should we aspire for more worldly
riches?
Getting rich is not bad per se. As Bro.
Bo Sanchez puts it - for as long it is for the right motive, “to
supply the needs of the kingdom and bless those in need.”
And if I may add, for as long as we do not neglect God, our
family and our community.
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- There is
a legend about a wealthy woman who, when she reached heaven,
was shown a very plain mansion. She objected. “Well, that is
the house you prepared for yourself,” she was told. “Whose is
that fine mansion across the way?” she asked. “It belongs to
your gardener,” came the answer. “How is it that he has one
so much better than mine?” she persisted. “The houses here
are prepared from materials that are sent up. We do not
choose them: you do that by your earthly faithfulness,”
was the final reply.
Let us honestly ask ourselves: What “materials” have we so far
sent to heaven? What are we working for here on earth? Is it
riches in heaven or riches on earth? I can hear some of you
say: both. Well yes, we can earn riches here on earth and at
the same time earn riches in heaven, if such riches are shared
with those in need. All for the greater glory of God!
Amen.
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TELL US
LIKE IT IS!
- Has
something wonderful and unique happened in your life lately? Did
God answer your prayer in a very unexpected way? Did you, like
Isaiah, meet God’s whisper?
- Have
you felt His powerful hand working in your life recently?
-
Everyday, people are experiencing God’s mighty Word in their
lives and it is a pity that very few know about it. Do you have
a story to tell? Some Good News to share?
- E-mail
us (genesis@catholic.org)
or fax us (021-6627384), and tell us about it. That’s right! You
don’t have to be a great writer to do this. We can help you
write it – just tell us like it is!
- Don’t
forget to write the subject: “Let Me Tell You A Story”
For comments, suggestions
or ideas:
Write us: Jl. Bacang No. 20
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia
Call us: (6221) 720-3824
Fax us: (6221) 662-7384
Genesis
Catholic Community
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Inspirations
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Surabaya Corner
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Community Life ~ Here's
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ECLS Sharing
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The G Kidspace*
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Our Faith
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Place of Refuge
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God Answers Prayers
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Straight from the Heart
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