Reflection for 10/23/17

We live in a world that is all about greed.  Take, take, take.  Look out for number one.  Worry about yourself.  We need the biggest and the most expensive and the newest of everything.  Society is very greedy.  But Jesus tells us, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one's life does not consist of possessions.”  

 

The man in the parable was considered a fool because he worried only about storing up as much grain and possessions as possible but he had no concern for the things of God.  He wanted to keep as much of these worldly possessions as possible but he did not care to store up treasures in heaven.  In the end, when this world passes away, what will the man be left with?  Nothing.  We cannot imbibe the cultural mantra of “eat, drink, and be merry…,” we have to have concern with the things of God.

 

How do we store up treasures in heaven?  We do so by loving others, by do acts of charity for our neighbors, by feeding the hungry, by clothing the naked, by loving God above all.  We store up treasures in heaven by always keeping our eyes fixed on the teachings of Christ.  When we lose sight of Christ, then we fall into the trap of self-interest and naval gazing.  And in the end, we will have nothing to show for our lives on earth.  Am I storing up treasures in this world or am I storing up everlasting treasures in heaven?