Making sense of what's happening in Myanmar

Most of you would be familiar with the short uprising of the monks in Myanmar. Following the episodes closely in the papers everyday, I have many times been moved to the point of tears by the courage of the monks and the cruelty of Myanmar's leaders. These monks have risked their lives for the greater good and I admire them for it, immensely.

However, I have been having trouble reconciling this in a religious light. I thought to myself, as I was watching the violence on television, what happened to the souls of the dead?

In Christianity, we believe that all who do not obey the call of God are doomed to eternity in hell. My first instinctive thought was to regret that we are not able to go to Myanmar and preach to these monks; save the souls of these courageous and good-hearted people who, apart from having devoted their lives to the service of a god they believe in, have grasped the concept of an after-life enough to sacrifice themselves for the well being of Myanmar's citizens. That's something we Christians should strive for.

But then I got to thinking, how great would our preaching to them be? If one of these monks were to accept Christianity, would he be as zealous in his religion as he is now? I don't think it's about the personality. Otherwise we would have as many monks as we have Christian preachers. Somehow, it seems that there is a flaw in our religion, or perhaps in the way we practise it.

In Buddhism, to give up one's secular life for monkhood is revered. Look at how the Thais and the Burmese treat men of the cloth. In the Christian society, however, we don't exactly foster devotion to God. In fact, we don't foster devotion to much. It seems that there really isn't as much meaning in Christianity as there is in the devotion of the monks.

I'm not really sure how to make sense of my thoughts, and I hope to invite others to share their thoughts on this subject. It would help my faith, and perhaps the faith of others out there.

The Plain Truth About Money

Tiny children are often fascinated with money because it is shiny and small enough to go into their mouths. Then, kids reach the point when they understand that money has the power to buy things. That is a new reason for them to like money. Later, in their teenage years their thinking can be dominated by a desire to possess money in order to impress others or to buy things that dad and mom won't buy for them. As adults, well, a lot of adults are still fond of money.

Money in and of itself possesses no moral qualities. Money is neither righteous nor unrighteous. Money is an inanimate object, a means or tool to help humans obtain something else. It is one's attitude toward money or riches that counts. In order to help us keep a handle on our attitude, we offer the following six truthful statements about money. May they serve as a reminder and warning to all of us.

(1) Money cannot buy love. Way back in the 1960s the Beatles were singing, "I don't care too much for money, 'cause money can't buy me love." It was true then, and it is still true now. Money may impress folks and attract them to a money-possessing person, but money cannot buy genuine love. Young people, are you listening?

(2) Money doesn't grow on trees. How many times did we hear our parents tell us that when we wanted something that we could not afford? Because it is true that money does not grow on trees and we cannot have it at the snap of our fingers, then we need to be good stewards with the funds that God has placed in our hands (1 Corinthians 4:2). Our Lord says, "Owe no man anything" (Romans 13:8). Christians ought not to use credit cards to the extent that they get themselves into debt that they cannot pay off.

(3) Money is not the root of all evil, but the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). The love of money is covetousness, and covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). Such a love affair with material riches has ruined friendships, marriages, and even congregations. How sad.

(4) Money never has and never will save a soul. Money can be used to help support the preaching of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:8, 9). It is also an instrument that assists us in edifying the faithful, but still, money cannot save souls.

(5) Money will not accompany us when we leave this world. Regardless of how much money one has, the money stays behind—you can't take it with you. "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out" (1 Timothy 6:7).

(6) Money is not success, and success is not possessing money. Oh, if we could only help folks, including ourselves at times, see this point! Some rich people will go to hell. Some poor folks will go to heaven. One's eternal destiny is not determined by his/her financial status. You want success, you say? Then listen carefully to what the Lord once told Joshua: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" (Joshua 1:8). THAT is true success.

Let each of us resolve to accept the truth about money, and in the process beware of "the deceitfulness of riches" (Mark 4:19). —Roger D. Campbell