Not a Chance

A pastor's informal Sunday morning survey of his congregants revealed that within the pervious six months 20 percent of them had participated in some form of gambling  - horse racing. lottery, etc. Later discussion exposed an underlying hope for a chance windfall, while avoiding the discipline fo work, saving, and budgeting. These people had paired themselves with a materialistic monster called "More."

Paul's classic words to Timothy would be the perfect response to that situation: "Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it...People who want to get rich fall in to temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs" (1 Tm 6:6-10).

Paul's ideal puts most of us to shame: "I have learned the secret of being content in any situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want" (Phil 4:11-13). If we mastered that mentality, it would change almost every aspect of our society, from the abuses of public welfare funds to the need for parish bingo.

This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net