A Pot Of Gold

Everybody is looking for the proverbial 'Pot of Gold', or at least it would appear that way. Pass by any lotto kiosk and you'll see a lineup of people in the queue, especially on the day when the drawing for the big prize is to take place. Who hasn't thought about what they would do If they had a million dollars. We can come up with some very laudable ideas when we try to rationalize the virtues of winning the lottery.

Governments, sensing the natural inborn inclination to greed which we all have, Are quick to get on the lottery bandwagon, and many charities and commercial interprises all see the lottery as a great way to generate revenues. I can't count the number of times that I have been informed by a well known magazine, to which we have a subscription, that I have won a million dollars or that I have been selected to be entered in the great million dollar draw.

Sadly even school children are being caught up in 'lottery mania' to the point of becoming addicted to gambling.

It all sounds so wonderful. If I had a million dollars I wouldn't have a worry in the world. Really? When you really get down to it there is a lot of things which money can't buy. It can't buy genuine peace of mind or true happiness. It can't buy character, integrity, or a good name, which according to the writer of Proverbs is " more desirable than great riches.." Proverbs 22:1 Nor is riches a guarantee of good health; many a person of great wealth would have gladly given up all their possessions if it could have restored their health and prolonged their lives. Great wealth has its benefits but it also has its limitations and it can so easily be lost.

Jesus warned against putting our trust in riches that can so easily slip through our hands."Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal." He is really telling us to invest in riches which really count.

Much of what we seek after and devote our time to acquiring we can do with out. Things and possessions are not what is really important. The great english preacher Dr. Parker said that he loved to look in the store windows at Christmas time to see how much he could do without. It is what we lay up in heaven that is really important.

The good news is there is a 'Pot of Gold' at the end of the rainbow.Jesus said "Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and all these things will be added unto you.."

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