“WE are not rich but blessed,” asserted my daughter-in-law. “What exactly do you mean?” my eight-year-old grandson asked.
There are qualifiers in being rich. An individual could be rich in finances, in moral values, in intelligence, in precious heritage or in spiritual gifts. However, richness could be in juxtaposition with blessedness minus the mundane stuff. It is important to note the difference between being rich materially and being blessed under the same light.
There are among us who were born rich, born with a golden spoon in their mouths, so to speak. These are the people who acquired huge inheritance from their ancestors or who own big businesses that they can afford luxury cars, to reach foreign lands, to live in palatial homes, to have as many servants and are likely to enjoy the expensive amenities in life.
Being blessed on the other hand, refers to people who because of hard work, dedication to their families and their earnest efforts to achieve their dreams made it to be among the blessed. And of course, let us not forget their faith in God who continuously provides for them. This Lenten season let us also remember the eight beatitudes.
The key words that will define richness and blessedness are wants and needs. The rich get what they want while the blessed get to buy only the basic human needs with their limited resources. It is when greed and envy that the confusion between the two, needs and wants, happens. Let us, therefore, determine the boundaries. And in this world of materialism, we are tempted to redefine needs to get what we want. Should the cross- over happen, it is time to pause and re-evaluate the measurement of success. Success, being the main ingredient in one’s determination to strive hard and reach the goal in life.
As we raise the bar of our goals to achieve more, the greater the sacrifice.
How many of our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have crossed over from “needs” to “wants” while earning currencies bigger than the Philippine peso? First, the intention was to be able to have a house of their own and do away with renting. Then, the next budget goes to the acquisition of a family car, followed by for education of the children, then a bigger home, a bigger car, an expensive school. Before they are aware of it, they now want a vacation house, a farm and invest in a business. The OFW continues to work in a foreign land, away from the family while the unending list gets longer and longer.