Learn the Lesson

St. Paul in his first letter to Timothy advises him: “The love of money is the root of all evils and there are some who, pursuing it, have wandered away from the faith, and so given their souls any number of fatal wounds” (1 Tim. 6:10).  Jesus had already directed us in this matter, showing us what should be the right focus.  “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His justice and all other things shall be given you besides” (Mt. 6:33).

So many problems and the present world economic chaos have evolved from that wrong focusing of attitudes that can only engender such a perplexed and failing economy.  Maybe we should go back to those true economists, like the famed author of the book ‘Up the Organization’, Robert Townsend, who enunciated his opinion which sounds like the biblical truth above.  In his book, under the page sub-titled ‘family baggage’ – this is what R. Townsend says: “Money, like prestige, if sought directly, is almost never gained.  It must come as a byproduct of a worthwhile objective or result which is sought and achieved for its own sake.”  That’s how the saints and our pioneers proceeded, by word and example, seeking not money but the ultimate good and discipline of our people; that they learn the important lessons of life.

When people mistakenly make money their main aim, it’s a sure route to failure.  Our aim is the good of the people we serve, not their exploitation.  That’s what God wants us to do in seeking His Kingdom first and His justice because all good things follow after that as the example of God’s holy ones, His servants, have shown.  The cross has been not just a symbol of sacrifice but of victory and lasting happiness as well.