Thoughts for another day
May 19, 2010
Today's verse: Eccl. 3:13. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Some years ago, I read a news item about a beggar found dead on the streets. As they were about to remove him and his belongings, they discovered about Rs. 500,000 (Approx. USD 10,700 a good amt. in India), in his rags. All were shocked at the unknown wealth of the beggar who never had a proper meal according to those around the place. Question is, why was this beggar hoarding so much money? For no one I presume; and if one further asked why, well there can’t be a rational answer I guess. What intrigued me at that time and does even today is, why didn’t the man have at least something decent to eat and why did he have to depend on alms alone for his food. Why didn’t he put the money he had to good use?
Funny as it may seem, there’re many people with the same attitude as the beggar. Only, they don’t live on streets and earn well but are acutely stingy. They never spend a penny except on necessities, which are satisfied with sub-standard stuff. Their food is disgusting and their home décor or personal clothing leave much to be desired. All their money goes into banks and other instruments but never on an evening out with the family or a good feast. I have some relatives who are like this; they don’t even buy a new pair of footwear however worn their old one, expecting someone from the family to give them a pair, gratis! Pathetic, to say the least.
Now what happens to their money? As far as I’ve seen, it’s spent on hospitals and medicines. The ratio of money on medicines is far higher than on any other item being bought! Finally they die and some irreverent son or daughter inherits their money, to squander it on inanities like the prodigal son. Our Scripture advises us to enjoy the fruit of our labor. What’s the point if we sweat out our whole lives and don’t enjoy. What’s the pleasure in slaving always to save and not spending on something that flatters the heart once in a while? In no way is Scripture suggesting that we splurge, but just that we enjoy the fruit of our labor; for don’t forget, it’s a gift of God to be able to enjoy the benefits that accrue us from our work.
May 19, 2010
Today's verse: Eccl. 3:13. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Some years ago, I read a news item about a beggar found dead on the streets. As they were about to remove him and his belongings, they discovered about Rs. 500,000 (Approx. USD 10,700 a good amt. in India), in his rags. All were shocked at the unknown wealth of the beggar who never had a proper meal according to those around the place. Question is, why was this beggar hoarding so much money? For no one I presume; and if one further asked why, well there can’t be a rational answer I guess. What intrigued me at that time and does even today is, why didn’t the man have at least something decent to eat and why did he have to depend on alms alone for his food. Why didn’t he put the money he had to good use?
Funny as it may seem, there’re many people with the same attitude as the beggar. Only, they don’t live on streets and earn well but are acutely stingy. They never spend a penny except on necessities, which are satisfied with sub-standard stuff. Their food is disgusting and their home décor or personal clothing leave much to be desired. All their money goes into banks and other instruments but never on an evening out with the family or a good feast. I have some relatives who are like this; they don’t even buy a new pair of footwear however worn their old one, expecting someone from the family to give them a pair, gratis! Pathetic, to say the least.
Now what happens to their money? As far as I’ve seen, it’s spent on hospitals and medicines. The ratio of money on medicines is far higher than on any other item being bought! Finally they die and some irreverent son or daughter inherits their money, to squander it on inanities like the prodigal son. Our Scripture advises us to enjoy the fruit of our labor. What’s the point if we sweat out our whole lives and don’t enjoy. What’s the pleasure in slaving always to save and not spending on something that flatters the heart once in a while? In no way is Scripture suggesting that we splurge, but just that we enjoy the fruit of our labor; for don’t forget, it’s a gift of God to be able to enjoy the benefits that accrue us from our work.
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