“Huwag kayong mag-impok ng mga kayamanan dito sa lupa; dito’y may naninirang insekto at kalawang, at may nakakapasok na magnanakaw. Sa halip, mag-impok kayo ng kayamanan sa langit; doo’y walang naninirang insekto at kalawang, at walang nakakapasok na magnanakaw. Sapagkat kung saan naroroon ang iyong kayamanan, naroroon din ang iyong puso.”

Mateo 6:19–21

Excited na si Terry. Finally, natanggap na niya ang kanyang migration papers and she is on her way to start a new life in the USA! Now it is time to pack. Dalawang bagahe lang daw ang puwede niyang dalhin, each one weighing 50 pounds. But how can she pack all her 35 years of existence into two maletas? She started making lists ng mga bagay na ipamimigay, ibebenta, itatapon. Haaay, ang dami pala niyang gamit! Why on earth did she acquire so much stuff?

God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17b). If material things make us happy, and if we can afford them, why not acquire them? Pero for the same amount of money or even less, there are other significant things that could make us happy, di ba? Let’s take a moment and think about them.  

With the same amount of money, should I buy an ultraexpensive signature purse or purchase a plane ticket to see people close to me? Should I buy an expensive dinner for myself, or buy reasonably priced food to share with neighbors in need? Saan ako talaga mas sasaya? Marami pang puwedeng idagdag dito, don’t you think?