19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also
The first part of this scripture, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal..." has been used throughout the years to justify poverty and being poor. It has taught many to suppress the urgency to learn how to invest. It is a curious phenomenon, but it is evidenced in the fact of a shared financial illiteracy. I am not above it. It has been part of my own intellectual legacy. I felt it keenly in my early years, and questioned it. But, by the time I was able to counter it much time had elapsed. It is compelling how theology exists within our terminology irregardless of our affiliation with an organized religion. It is true our beliefs are stronger than religion.
"...Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." weaseled into the thinking of suppressed people convincing them of the worthless chore of amassing personal wealth. The prospect of heaven and its rewards underscored the theme of countless lives when the apex predators came to collect their tolls and taxes. Slaves to the culture of belief set against one's Sacred Dream of Life produced millions of people who half-lived their lives thinking, and singing about the 'bye & 'bye!
The true investor, I learned late in life, stands between the divide in these interpretations and merges self into a concept balanced by modesty, adventure, and daring and takes the fear of judgment that the parable of the talents renders into the heart of those unable to make their one talent grow, and become financially secure, emotionally balanced, and mature differently. Jesus' parable about the servants who received talents from their master terrifies the above mentioned persons because the parable rewards the investor just as in real life the investor is rewarded. - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 1.02.14
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| The Painter by Georgia AL Fullerton |
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