MORAL STORIES

THE SANCTITY OF POVERTY

Once there was a heavy flood. The river, flowing violently through a heavy forest carried several articles from a residential area on its way. Some men were watching the flow when they observed a huge black bundle being carried along the flooding river. Hoping that it may contain some valuable articles from some toppled house, they swam across the river to fetch it. One of them reached it earlier. The others soon realized that it was a huge bear on a floating log and cried aloud to dissuade their friend, “Leave it, dear, it is a bear.” But the helpless man moaned, “I know and I have left it, but it is not leaving me!”

That is the trouble with riches. It holds you tightly in its mighty arms. Persons, who lead a pompous life and prefer to stay in palatial buildings, enjoy costly clothing and royal food and travel in luxurious vehicles, are victims of the sinful temptation to amass and adore worldly wealth. It requires intense efforts and Divine grace to escape from the grip of this temptation. Let us be concerned about the millions around us, toiling for survival but destined to suffer persistent poverty and frequent starvation.

“Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. {Matthew 6: 19, 20}

By Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.

This is story No.87 in this site. Please click ‘older posts’ at bottom of page to read previous stories.