What money can do

Moments in Philippine Daily Inquirer by Fr Jerry Orbos SVD

The evil one is right — money can do a lot, as in a lot of things. But what the evil one does not tell us is that money can undo us, our character, our very life and soul.

What has money done to you? Has your money made you proud and arrogant? Has money made you selfish and greedy? Has money made you so busy to the detriment of your health, your family, your relationships? Has money made you so comfortable in this world, so as to forget your life mission and final destination?

Money can give us false security, making us believe that everything and everyone can be bought, even eternity. Money can give us false identity, when we begin to think, and speak, and act like God because of our power and money.

Use your money for your salvation, not for your condemnation. On the final accounting before God, we will be asked if our money was good money—the result of hard and honest work, or dirty money—the result of dishonest, corrupt and criminal deeds.

We will be judged, too, on how much we shared our money and resources to others. Please broaden your concept of legacy beyond your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren! Make sure you leave something behind to the lost, the least and the last—to the many unknown, who do not even know you.

The elections are coming. Let not money become the be-all and the end-all factor in our choosing leaders. Let not dirty money coming from corruption, crimes, gambling and drugs destroy and imprison us as a country and as a people.