Proverbs, Chapter
22, Verse 4
The result of
humility and fear of the LORD is
riches, honor and life.
In reflecting on this stanza; the first thing I
noticed is that the rewards listed in this proverb are reversed. In that riches
are not more important to obtain for oneself than honor and honor is not as
valuable as life….or is it. In thinking about this I questioned are we talking
about material riches or some other kind of riches? Gandi has said, wealth without
work is one of the great evils in the world. It has also been said that even if
a poor person was suddenly rich they often again lose their wealth like the
story of the prodigal son. True riches it seems actually comes from having sound
and grounded thoughts, habits and philosophies; being humble and submitting all
to God. Steve Siebold, noted author of “How Rich People Think,” noticed that
yes rich people do think differently than the middle class or even the poor. If
we can maintain our fear of the Lord, and develop these habits of thought, we
can not only bless ourselves but also all those around us. Here are some of my
favorite norms Steve lists from the 100 in his book.
1.
Middle class focuses on saving…World
class focuses on earning.
Imagine if instead of building up barns of wealth a blessed person used their
excess to benefit others and sought the general wealthfare of mankind and
focused on earning souls and true happiness for others by serving and solving
problems.
2.
Middle class believes building
wealth is a solitary effort…World class believes building wealth is a team
effort. We
cannot bring about the kingdom of heaven without a team effort; we must have
the help of a team of saintly persons from all three churches help us here is
the corporal church on earth; in the suffering church in purgatory and in the
glorified church in heaven. The world class knows it takes a team to build
wealth, and they focus much of the effort on finding the right people to
leverage their actions and ideas.
3.
Middle class believes money is
negative…World class believes money is positive. The love of money must be avoided but money is a necessary
tool that can be used to create great good and it must be managed while maintaining a spirit of poverty. Money is
seen by the rich a a positive tool that has the power to create freedom and
opportunity for themselves and their families; whereas the heavenly class see
it as a tool to bring the kingdom for God.
4.
Middle class believe rich people
are shallow…World class believes rich people are strategic. We are in a battle and I like the
word strategic. Note that the Catholic Church is one of the wealthiest
organizations in the world we must use our resources in the battle for the Lord
and souls. Being poor is not virtuous; you should not be giving your money to
God if you cannot pay your rent. Like the rich we can build an empire but not
for ourselves but for the Lord. We should use our resources like the rich, in
honest and strategic ways, to serve others.
5.
Middle class believes money is
earned through labor…World class believes money is earned through thought. Independent creative thinking is
the most valuable asset anyone can acquire. Steve Forbes has said, “The real
source of wealth in this new era is not material things. It is the mind, and
human spirit, the human imagination, and our faith in the future.” Imagine the
power of the creative mind inspired by the Holy Spirit for the glory of God!
The Dogma of Purgatory is too much forgotten by the
majority of the faithful; the Church Suffering, where they have so many
brethren to succor, whither they foresee that they themselves must one day go, seems a strange land to
them. This truly deplorable forgetfulness was a great sorrow to St. Francis de
Sales. “Alas!” said this pious doctor of the Church, “we do not sufficiently
remember our dear departed; their memory seems to perish with the sound of the
funeral bells.” The principal causes of this are ignorance and lack of faith; our notions on the subject of
Purgatory are too vague, our faith
is too feeble. In order, then, that our ideas may become more distinct and our faith enlivened, we must take a closer view of this life
beyond the tomb, this intermediate state of the just souls, not yet worthy to
enter the Heavenly Jerusalem.
Full
Beaver Moon
According to the almanac today is a Full Beaver
Moon; plan to spend some time watching the Narnia series or reading “The Witch
the Lion and the Wardrobe” with your children or grandchildren.
Sadie
Hawkins Day is
an American folk event and pseudo-holiday originated by Al Capp's classic hillbilly
comic strip Li'l Abner (1934–1978). This inspired real-world Sadie
Hawkins events, the premise of which is that females ask males for a date or
dancing.
Daily
Devotions
[1]Schouppe
S.J., Rev. Fr. F. X.. Purgatory Explained (with Supplemental Reading: What Will
Hell Be Like?)
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