“Heaven’s Riches” (Mt.6:19; Lk. 12:24; Ex.14:11) [Reflections on Book: Wm.C.King (ed) Portraits and Principles of The World's Great Men And Women Chicago: The King-Richardson Co. 1899 - #46/100]
He has a point, this man of God,
Though getting there seems rather odd –
He said, “We talk of heaven’s gold,
And treasures, in our stories old –“But what’s for us? What will we have?
Awash with riches, it’s so sad
To in eternity have none,
While others ’round us have the fun.”Say what? Is that how it will be?
The closest treasures we will see
Are those which neighbors there possess –
Those earned on earth, through thoughtfulness?Lord, what I’m hearing in these words,
Interpreting what he has heard,
Is life below and life above
Are one – both “Gentle”, “Push and shove”.So do not sweat return below,
But “Plant” such seed, so when you go
Beyond this life you’ll get what’s earned,
Stored up above – reward once spurned.Perhaps it’s seen best in reverse,
When things we’ve done are labeled “worse” –
Something for nothing – cash or toil –
May bless you with flesh-pots that boil –But then there’s nothing gained by you,
And when you leave, which we all do,
You take yourself – impoverished now,
To other side – and that is how –The praise and honors of mankind,
And riches stored, which we soon find
Are meaningless at closing time
When moment comes to cross that line…His point’s well taken – none can stop
A quest to rise up to some top,
And push those boundaries we find
In ways important to our mind.For our best use of self, pushed high,
Brings its rewards – contentment’s sigh;
Community that thrives around;
And family’s foundation sound.In each and every field of work,
Some excellence will always lurk
Around the corner – if we press
To find it, that defines “Success”As Rabbi Lapin pointed out,
Our work should be to bring about
A better world – not after hours
When we’ve exhausted our best powers –And if it’s not, then make a change –
Engage yourself where life’s arranged
In such a way that you pour out
Your best each moment you’re about.So Lord, as I reflect on this,
I see an aspect I had missed –
There is no reaping, now or then,
Without a planting now, again.Thanks Lord for this.
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