Day 4: True Wealth
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NRSV)
“The lover of money will not be satisfied with money, nor the lover of wealth with gain; this also is vanity.”
Inspiring Quote:
“The measure of a life is not its duration but its donation.” — Peter Marshall, Chaplain of the US Senate (1947-1949)
Reflection:
We often think that having more—more money, more possessions, more success—will bring us lasting happiness. Yet Ecclesiastes reminds us that wealth alone never truly satisfies. The pursuit of material gain can leave us constantly longing for more, never feeling content with what we have.
Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” As a pastor I love to see people use their god-given gifts in helping others. I have heard people say you are either a “giver” or a “taker.” Everyone serving on this trip is a giver. Some people can’t contain themselves; grace just bubbles out.
Let me share a little more about one of our team members. Her cup overflows with love, joy and compassion. You see it in her empathy with the patients as eyes connect to a deeper level. She listens to every word hearing inflections of the reality of the situation. She does not have children of her own, but decided to support the education of a Guatemalan child. Then she adopted another, and another. She can’t contain herself! She now supports 14 children!!! Anne Frank did say, “No one has ever become poor by giving.”
Our team member loves life and wants all God’s creatures to have a better life. She especially loves dogs and collects the uneaten food at dinner to feed the stray dogs around the clinic. She gives them names probably because she actually thinks everyone deserves a name. Unlike me, she looks at everyone asking for food at the corner. She intentionally makes a connection, so the person knows he/she is seen —- is somebody. She gives to them AND she prays for them!!!!
But believe it or not there is a down-side to caring so much. She shared with me about a 48-year-old patient, who is blind because of her diabetes. She also just had an appendicitis surgery 6 weeks ago. She has 4 grown children, but unfortunately, they are not involved. She does have a loving husband, but he has to work. She only sees shadows and her life is very difficult. She does have a sister and niece who help out. But what she really wishes for is that her children were more involved. She is very depressed. At one point she asked for a pill so she can die. With tears in her eyes, our team member told the patient she doesn’t know the depth of her despair, but that she loves her, and she matters! We know the frustration of seeing a loved one in pain and not being able to fix it. They referred her to a Guatemalan psychologist and gave her some medicine to help her depression. When our team member told me the story, I reassured her that she responded compassionately to the patient. Our team member repeatedly told the woman she loved her and will pray for her AND I KNOW SHE WILL! You know when someone is sincere. THANK GOD FOR THIS TEAM MEMBER. I want to be more like her! How about you?
“The measure of a life is not its duration but its donation.”
Prayer:
God, shift my perspective to see true wealth in Your kingdom. Help me realize that the most important things in life are not things. Amen.
Re. Paul Nazarian
Team Blogger
