Fortunes

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2019 3:12 pm Post subject: Fortunes

Fortunes

Scripture:

Woe to you that are wealthy in Sion, and to you that have confidence in the mountain of Samaria: you great men, heads of the people, that go in with state into the house of Israel.

You that sleep upon beds of ivory, and are wanton on your couches: that eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the herd; you that sing to the sound of the psaltery: they have thought themselves to have instruments of music like David; that drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the best ointments: and they are not concerned for the affliction of Joseph. Wherefore now they shall go captive at the head of them that go into captivity: and the faction of the luxurious ones shall be taken away.
(Amos 6:1, 4-7)

But you, O man of God, fly these things: and pursue justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, mildness. Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, where unto you are called and be it confessed a good confession before many witnesses. I charge you before God who quickens all things, and before Christ Jesus who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate, a good confession: That you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, which in his times he shall show, who is the Blessed and only Mighty, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Who only has immortality and inhabits light inaccessible: whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and empire everlasting. Amen.
(1 Timothy 6:11-16)

There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who lay at his gate, full of sores, desiring to be filled with the crumbs that fell from table of the rich man. And no one did give him: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass that the beggar died and was carried by the angels into the bosom of Abraham.

And the rich man also died: and he was buried in hell. And lifting up his eyes when he was in torments, he saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom: And he cried and said: Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame. And Abraham said to him: Son, remember that you did receive good things in your lifetime, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you, there is fixed a great chaos: so that they who would pass from hence to you cannot, nor from thence come hither.

And he said: Then, father, I beseech you that you would send him to the house of my father, for I have five brethren, that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torments. And Abraham said to him: They have Moses and the prophets. Let them hear them. But he said: No, father Abraham: but if one went to them from the dead, they will do penance. And he said to him: If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, if one rise again from the dead.
(Luke 16:19-31)

Reflection:

The richest person in the world could sell all they have and give all their wealth to the poor, but it would not eliminate poverty. Governments could confiscate all the wealth of the world and use it to feed those in need, but it would not solve hunger. If this is the case, some may ask, then, why try? They may suggest, we should only take care of ourselves while others take care of themselves.

Jesus told us, the poor we shall always have with us. (cf. Matthew 26:11, Mark 14:17) We did not all come into the world with the same fortune, nor shall we leave it with any worldly wealth. (cf. Genesis 3:19) The rich will leave the earth with no more material possessions than the poor. Still, let us consider that even before that day, in one moment, we may live a life of comfort or even luxury, but a twist of fortune may suddenly leave us without even crumbs. We do not know, from day to day, what will come of our fortunes, but history has clearly revealed to us that fortunes are easily reversed and the rich shall join the ranks of the poor and the poor may suddenly find themselves within the ranks of the rich.

If our pleasures are of the material world, so shall our horizons be limited. If all we care is for ourselves, so shall we limit our potential and our possibilities. If our pursuits are only of the material world, so shall our worries be focused. (cf. Matthew 6:21) If, however, we look to live as God asks of us, then, we are able to pursue the potential and purpose for which He created us.

In our current day, we may be tempted to look at the material wealth of another and say to ourselves, ?how lucky are they,? but is their wealth truly satisfying? The more we gather, the more we must maintain, the more we must protect. If we are not observant, our possessions may consume us without adding to us. Things may give us a moment of elation, but they do not love, nor can they replace love.

If we are blessed with fortune and comforts, we should first give thanks and praise, but we should also reflect, no matter our work, was it not earned or come into our possession from what God created and put into motion? Is not all of creation His first as the Creator? Did He not create us as stewards of His creation? (Genesis 1:26-2 Cool

We should reflect, then, that the question will one day come from the One who created us, the One who entrusted values to us, ?What did you do with what I entrusted to you?? (cf. Matthew 25:14-30)

We may not, by ourselves, be able to solve all the problems of the sick, poor, and hungry; but then, no problem can be solved if we do not make any effort. Some may proffer, ?I gave to a charity, so now I may be on my way.? Others may proffer, ?I paid my taxes so the government may deal with the problem.? Money for the sick, poor, and hungry are truly needed, and giving alms is a virtue, but the over arching virtue is what is done in love. (1 Corinthians 13:1-13) Let us, then, look not only at what we pay to help those in need, but let us also look at what we do to help others in need.

We all do not have the same by which we may contribute. (cf. Mark 12:41-44) Some may have great wealth while others walk near the line of need. What God asks us to consider is what we may do with what we have. For some, they have time, but little in the form of material wealth. The question for them might be, ?What did you do with your time?? For others, they may have wealth, but may have little in the form of available time. The question for them might be, ?What did you do with your wealth?? For still others, created within them was a talent for the blessings of others. The question for them might be, ?What did you do with your talent??

The ratio of our wealth, time, or talent is immaterial in the eyes of God, for as we consider all mixed together, we should expect the question God might have remains the same for us all, ?What did you do with what I gave you and the means by which I enabled you?? As we reflect upon our days, will our answer be clear that for whatever we have stewardship, we carried out our responsibilities as God asks of us and with the blessings of love?

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways do we take our comforts for granted while neglecting our responsibilities?

Where might we focus the talents God created within us to help accomplish His will?

In what ways have we overlooked or neglected the work which God asks of us?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier