preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.
This scripture is about the Kingdom of God.
This scripture could be about the love of money is the root of all evils, but that is only part of the message. The rest of our story is about building lasting wealth in the Kingdom of God in Heaven and on Earth.
Psalm 49:2-3 Hear this, all you peoples! Give ear, all who inhabit the world, You of lowly birth or high estate, rich and poor together! Psalm 49:7-8 Of those who trust in their wealth and boast of their abundant riches? No man can ransom even a brother or pay to God his own ransom. Psalm 49:14 This is the way of those who trust in themselves, and the end of those who take pleasure in their own mouth.
In 1 Timothy Saint Paul writes We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it; but as long as we have food and clothing, let us be content with that. We should all be building riches that last. We work for our basic needs, and we store savings for a rainy day. Our real treasure is the riches that we have accumulated in building the Kingdom of God on Earth. Last Sunday my wife Anna and I went to the dedication of a building which is an outreach center for the needy. It is staffed by volunteers from our parish.
I looked at the Bishop, priests and all the people who made the project possible. I saw many successful and wealthy people there, but I also saw people of modest income who give of their time talent and treasures by volunteering to make the outreach project happen. A community of faith who are trying to build the Kingdom of God. Matthew 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.‘ All these people who helped in building the center by trying to follow this scripture.
What motivates these people to give of themselves and not as Saint Paul writes, Religion, of course, does bring large profits, but only to those who are content with what they have. Jesus’s message of the Good News of the Gospel was not building wealth on Earth but in Heaven. Jesus made his way through towns and villages preaching, and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God.
The outreach project may or may not be successful. The State of Oklahoma has the fifth highest child poverty populations in the United States. The need is there. Our community is making an effort to correct that in some small way and in some small way to Build the Kingdom of God. The real profit from the project can’t be measured in money.
Saint Mother Teresa said that we can do no great things only small things with great love. That is the key. Yes, we are looking for profit but not for our benefit. It is what Jesus did in the towns and villages He visited.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please Pray for Cancer victims and their caregivers. Pray for the conversion of Russia and the salvation of the Ukrainian and Russian people and their soldiers. Pray for peace!
