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Monday, 5 March 2012

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Deposit in the ‘Best Bank’

Saving for a rainy day is a wise decision. Everybody wishes to save something for future. Commercial investments bring interest and rewards for a better living. That is the main reason why people invest their hard eared money in the banks and other financial institutions as lucrative business. In this money-spinning trade people sometimes become rich over night. There are occasions when people lose their entire wealth and end up on the road for making foolish shortsighted decisions. In the recent past we learnt how people invested their hard earned money trusting certain scamps and how they lost their wealth in a jiffy.

So far we may not have thought of the 'Best Bank’ in which our savings are eternal and we are eternally rewarded. The basic policy of this bank is 'What is given by the right hand should not be known by the left hand.’ The slogan of the 'Best Bank’ is 'As You Sow You Shall Reap.’ The vision of the 'Best Bank’ is 'To make all the clients heavenly rich and to be gifted with eternal rewards through poverty alleviation on earth.’

Unlike in the private or state banks what is deposited cannot be withdrawn or claimed. If it is claimed, it is a shame on humanity. Whatever is saved it becomes a fixed deposit. Rewards will be enormous if the customer secures the privacy of depositing his wealth in this bank. If the customer boasts of his savings and deposits, there won't be any rewarding but lamenting only. Similarly if we do not deposit anything in the 'Best bank’ we are sure of repentance. 'Repentance comes late.’

Unlike in the worldly banks the customers are not provided with a pass book and monthly interest but all the facilities that are enjoyed by the customers are hundred percent ensured. All the savings and deposits are recorded permanently in the book of heaven. This savings itself is a life insurance that brings mental and spiritual happiness that keeps us moving forward.

The owner of the 'Best Bank’ is God. Jesus was the one who initiated this bank on earth promising eternal rewards in heaven. No board of Directors but there are shares in numbers. Anybody can own any amount of shares. To be a customer of the 'Bank Bank’ one should adhere to the policies of the bank.

'The Best Bank’ is registered not in the central bank in Colombo but in the central bank in heaven. This bank will never go bankrupt but the bank needs more and more customers in millions. This could be the only bank the least number of customers transact their business. So this bank should be advertised and made known. Where is this 'Best Bank'?

The 'Best Bank’ is everywhere on earth. This is the only bank where there is uncountable number of branches. There are various types of banks but the main problem is the customers are unaware of the 'Best Bank’ due to various reasons. Some 'Best Banks’ invite us to deposit but some don't. Those come to us may have investments but those who don't come to us due to social reasons may suffer endlessly. We should find both categories and invest as much as we can. What is this 'Best bank?’ The best bank is 'the poor and the needy’ we meet daily around us. The poor of course is easily identified but not the needy. It is more rewarding if we help the needy who are not begging or asking due to social status. Beggars come to us but the needy and the paupers may not.

Jesus, the founder of the 'Best bank’ requests us to 'Sell all your belongings and give the money to the poor. Provide for yourselves purses that don't wear out, and save your riches in heaven, where they will never decrease, because no thief can get them, no moth can destroy them. For your heart will always be where your riches are.’ (Luke 12: 33 - 34).

Who are the poor and the needy? Who could be poorer; the poor or the needy? People apparently identify who the poor are but hardly recognize the needy. The needy suffer more than the poor sometimes. So it is our duty to identify the needy.

The poor and the needy are ‘our teachers’. They teach us what life and suffering is. They teach us to practise what God has taught us. They teach and remind us the beauty of sharing and caring and how they bring satisfaction in life. Similarly they remind us of the uncertainty of life like dew on the tip of grass. In this temporal life on earth, we the temporal visitors have a simple yet important obligation towards the poor and the needy. If we fulfil our duty as much we can we become the share holders and the leading investors in the ‘Best Bank.’

Beggars need our help but beggars are sometimes helped excessively and they go to the extent of depositing their money in the banks. The poor and especially the needy (paupers) who may not beg, suffer without being seen. If we are able to identify such deserving people and help them secretly, our meritorious act will be recorded in the book of the ‘Best Bank.’ According to the late Bishop Frank Marcus Fernando, ‘The poor are the noblest next to God. We cannot enter heaven without the poor.’

Those who do not bother about the 'Best Bank’ and deposit only in the worldly banks are reminded by God Himself, ''You fool! This very night you will have to give up your life; then who will get all these things you have kept for yourself? This is how it is with those who pile up riches for themselves but are not rich in God's sight.” (Luke 12: 20 - 21)

Millionaires on earth can be beggars at the last judgment when God says angrily, ''Away from me, you that are under God's curse! Away to the eternal fire which has been prepared for the Devil and his angels! I was hungry but you would not feed me, thirsty but you would give me to drink; I was a stranger but you would not clothe me; I was sick and in prison but you would not take care of me.’

Then they will answer him, 'When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and we would not help you? The King will answer them back, 'I tell you, indeed, whenever you refused to help one of these least important ones, you refused to help me.’ These, then, will be sent off to eternal punishment; the righteous will go to eternal life.” (Mt 25: 41-26)

Jesus taught who righteous ones are. The righteous are warmly welcome at the final judgment. “You that are blessed by my Father: come! Come and receive the kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation of the world. I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and gave me drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me;” (Mt. 25: 34- 37)

“I tell you, indeed, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.” (Mt. 25:40) Jesus encouraged those who listen to the parable of the Good Samaritan “You go, then, and do the same.” Jesus again reminded us at the last supper using the same in other words, “Do this in memory of me.” What should we do in memory of Jesus? We should deposit as much as we can in the 'Best Bank.’


Love as a supreme value

Our lives can engender an influence to radiate the lives of others. We should also share our love, generosity and the things we have with others. True inner beauty and moulding of character come not from outward veneering but from within.

In other words, those who forgot their own lot, in the precious care of others, found their lives cheerful and happy.

It was just like a forlorn widow whose life would seem to have nothing in it to make herself happy, had it not been for a crippled child she dearly loved and cared for, in the evening of her life. This helpless girl was all the more dear to her on account of her helplessness. But impelled by an ardour of love and dedication to bring up the disabled child, her own life and work had become easy and light. Such was her dedicated service and nobility of labour with which she nurtured this innocent child. Therefore, it is in losing one's life, for another, that one can find it. It is in giving that one receives. That is positively the measure we should target. You reap a harvest only when you sow the seeds. Our burdens become lighter by assisting others to bear their afflictions.

Those in humble and lowly walks of life should enjoy also equality and the privilege of living in contentment and happiness. Our joys, fears and sorrows can be shared in a spirit of love, devotion and benevolence.

By performing our tasks to the best of our ability, we become more alive to the divine presence of the Almighty and His grace upon our lives.

By being receptive to whatever comes to me - good or bad as the sun and shadow that are forever shifting, we get accustomed to take things on the stride and do the daily chores as best as we can.

Our cheerless feelings - boredom and monotony in life should all be dispelled at any cost!

Life is worth living and we should appreciate the beauties of nature. Every time we look at a beautiful picture, it grows beautiful each time, we look at it. A beautiful and comely face carries with it a benediction wherever it goes.

Tramping downs the tracks and trails of the town, one evening, I was abruptly accosted by a decrepit, old beggar. He had tearful eyes - bereft of everything, he could call his own - yes, sans all assets and effects material in life., He was in tatters - coarse rags as apparel - festering wounds and soiled hands. Oh! how despicably poverty had eroded into this disconsolate and abject individual, I could not believe! He stretched out his tainted, tarnished hands - he mumbled, groaned and beckoned for solace and assistance.

We are indebted to others in service and love. If only we can fill up those empty souls materially as well as spiritually in whatever way we can, this world would certainly be a better place to live.

Love is the greatest thing in the world.It manifests itself in kind deeds, helpfulness and in self-less service to those around us. If it does not manifest itself, it cannot be called true love. This is the one, never failing test. Love is the statics; helpfulness and service is the dynamics. The latter is the more powerful. Without the dynamics, the statics might as well not be, because, helpfulness, kindliness,service are but the expression of love. It is in other words, love in action. If love does not manifest itself in action, it will then remain as something sentimental or mere nothing. Selfishness is the root of all evil. He who thinks only of his ego, cannot get beyond self. And so, robs his life of its charms and thus defeats the ends he has in view.

It is a well-known natural law that whatever has no use, or whatever has no purpose, shrivels up. So “he who makes himself of no use or no service to others, is mainly concerned with self - his own diminutive, stunted self. And he will surely shrivel up someday, devoid of happiness and grandeur in life. While he who forgets himself, rendering selfless service, to the great body of mankind, grows, expands, becoming large-hearted, magnanimous, kind, loving, sympathetic and happy. His life is thus enriched, and would live a full and noble life. For instead of his own petty life, he will enter into countless numbers of other lives.

Thus, indeed, joy, happiness, contentment come to each of those whom he comes in contact; and he becomes a part in each and all mankind. That way he can surely, become a prince among men or a queen among women, living a fuller, richer and grander life, Love is the dynamics; it grows. So much love means so much power.

So much love; so much life - strong, vibrant, rich and abounding in health and vitality. The world therefore, is beginning to realise that love is a vital, living force that can dynamically transform mankind. It's the same as thoughts which are vital and powerful in the universe.

Let's then, endeavour to enlighten, brighten and transform the lives of so many who come in contact with us. Let's shower them with love and care that they expect from us. If we can make others happy, in some measure, then, truly, we can also be happy. Happiness and our good dispositions depend on what we do. We become happy and contented, when we do a meritorious act, and in that fashion, we help others to co-exist honourably and decently. Therefore, by making others happy, we are bound to be happy ourselves. Let's spread this peace and goodwill among all throughout our lives.


WEEKLY DEVOTIONS:

Human dilemma in chasing after the wind

King Solomon’s personal experience:

It is good to read some ancient writings on the subject of life and how man searches to get inner satisfaction. This is not just something that people of today do but this has been happening from long years ago. We humans even before we developed , in our crudest form, have been searching to find God. God has created us in such a way that we long for Him and can only find inner satisfaction when we find Him. God created us in His image so that we could have a relationship with Him, and therefore, until we do so, we are really going after the wind and just as we cannot catch the wind we cannot catch anything else to hold it close to our hearts – we can only do this in getting to know God - He alone is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end and we must fin Him to understand what life is about.

ECCLESIASTES 1 AND 2

Ecclesiastes 1

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.

The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.

All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow

Ecclesiastes 2

I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?

I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:

I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:

I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.

So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.

Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise?

Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.

Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? Yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity. Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.

For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun? For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.

There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?

For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

CONCLUSION

Ecclesiastes 12:13 ( KJV )

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, how simple life will be if we do not chase after the wind but keep our minds stayed on thee. For this purpose alone you formed us as the crowning glory of your creation, in your image, so that we could have a close relationship with you and enjoy all of your creation. Forgive us my Master that our eyes are blinded to see this truth and we go after many things that are worthless and demise when we die. Help us to see things that are of eternal value and may we put our effort in knowing you and spending time with you. Help me Lord Jesus to open my heart to you and invite you into my heart and request you my El Shadai , the creator and shepherd of my life to lead me I pray to understand the purpose of my life and continue to walk with you. Father, take over the emptiness I feel in my heart and bring about the satisfaction that awaits me in knowing you and walking with you. I pray this prayer in Jesus name.

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