| January 1, 2021 -- Psalm 12:8 The wicked prowl on every side, * and that which is worthless is highly prized by every- one.
Mark 8:36 What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
I am beginning to understand and appreciate Jesus’ admonition in the sixth chapter of Matthew, quoted above. And then again, in the 12th chapter of Luke, Jesus tells us: “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” Worldly goods and wealth can and will become a burden to true happiness, especially because they tend to chain one to them. And the more you have the stronger the chain be- comes. Remember Jacob Marley in Dicken’s “Christmas Carol”? Mar- ley’s ghost appears to Scrooge and the following dialogue takes place:
“You are fettered,” said Scrooge, trembling. “Tell me why?”
“I wear the chain I forged in life,” replied the Ghost. “I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free-will, and of my own free-will I wore it.”
Different people may often put different values on the same thing. This is sometimes expressed as “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure”. When I was younger I used to prize various of my possessions which I now realize in old age were not worth nearly as much as other things, many of which I over- looked or took for granted. Materi- al possessions, for example, are not worth nearly as much to me now as good health, good friends, and fond memories.
Finally, in the long run, not even good health and good friends are worth as much as that peace of mind which comes from acceptance of things as they are, no longer worrying about your possessions or things that you cannot control. This is all summed up in that familiar “Serenity Prayer”: God give me the serenity to accept the things I can- not change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
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