PROSPERITY OR DISASTER: YOUR CHOICE?

Like so many things in life, both prosperity and disaster rest to a large degree upon the choices we make. No one becomes wealthy by complaining of their plight and doing nothing. There are a multitude of rags to riches stories of people who refused to accept the fact that having been born poor, they were destined to remain poor. I am not saying that all who are poor are destined to become rich. This simply will not happen. Jesus Himself tells us that we will always have the poor with us. At the same time, the rich cannot simply ignore the plight of the poor with the attitude that it is the latter’s fault or that it is their destiny to be poor.

It is the choices we make in life that will determine, first, our attitude towards poverty and wealth, and second, our capacity to improve our own economic situation. It will not be without hard work or a brilliant idea, but mostly the former.

The other aspect of this question is the relation of wealth and poverty to the gift of eternal life. Jesus clearly implies that it is easier for the poor to enter heaven in His teaching about wealth where He states that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven. Should we then desire to be rich? Well, it is up to you. What Jesus reminds us is that there are far more pitfalls when we are wealthy than if we are not as wealthy. Of course, there is probably a sensible middle road where we have sufficient for a reasonably comfortable life but not so much that the responsibility of riches weighs so heavily upon us. However, there are very few people I know who are satisfied with the wealth they have — there always seems to be a desire for a little bit more and more.

All in all, we should aspire to lift ourselves from poverty if that is our situation. Conversely, the rich have a responsibility to do what they can for the poor. If they fail in this they will not enter heaven. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

What is my attitude towards wealth and riches? Do I have a good and balanced attitude or does my attitude need some work?

 

Father, You will judge harshly those who do not share their wealth with the needy. I pray that all people learn to share better all they have with another.

 

St. Sedna, pray for us.