FIRST THINGS FIRST

        “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Mt. 6.20)

Stephen Covey in his famous book, ‘The Seven Habits  of Highly Effective People’ says, “ If I try human strategies and tactics to get other people to do what I what…to be more motivated – while my character is fundamentally flawed, marked by duplicity and insincerity then in the long run I cannot be successful.”  In simple words he says that one can try all the tactics and techniques, all social interactions and party games, but if one’s character is not honest and sincere, one cannot succeed. He adds, “Only basic goodness gives life to techniques”.

Jesus in the Gospel seems to be suggesting the same. The world is constantly telling us to collect more - more money, more fancy clothes, bigger houses, latest phones. Students  are constantly told have more knowledge, cultivate your talents, get one more certificate, go for a higher degree. In life these are important for success. But these are secondary. These should not come at the expense of the Primary. We need to keep First things First.

 Money can be stolen, house may come crumbling down in an earthquake, clothes can be soiled or eaten by moth, phones and computers can become rusty. These are necessary and needed but they are not primary, these can easily be lost and destroyed. You  cannot always take them with you wherever you go, to keep them safe. Any way these cannot be carried beyond the grave.

There are things in life which cannot be destroyed, things you can carry with you always, things that can be taken with you even beyond the grave. These are the Primary, the first things, ‘the one thing necessary’, the real treasure that Jesus invites us to seek. What are they? Your character, your values, your integrity, honesty, humility, sincerity, your kindness, these are more important than the things you possess. A person with good character is better than one with much wealth.  A sincere person is better than one who cheats and gets good rank. One who is honest is better than the one building a big house by dubious means.

Your character goes with you where ever you go. Your generosity will follow you even after your this life. Though you gather a lot of things, cultivate talents, though you may be an orator, musician, a walking-encyclopedia, but if your character is flawed you cannot be successful. Secondary greatness without primary greatness cannot succeed in the long run. What you are is more important than what you have. What you are, speaks more than what you say.

Let priority be given to character, values, integrity, kindness, nobility, love and  honesty. These are the treasures which Jesus speaks of, which no moth or rust can destroy or thief steal from you. Knowledge, skills, talents, money, house, clothes are important but they are secondary. Keep First things first. Seek treasures that cannot be destroyed and which can be stored in heaven.  

It is a long way to heaven.  Heavy luggage is not allowed. Travel light. Keep only what you can take with you in the cabin. These days people carry heavy books, documents, posters etc…in pen-drives. Now technology allows many things to be uploaded to the ‘Cloud’. Things that really matter, the Primary things, the treasure, upload them to ‘The Cloud’ above so that they may remain safe, and when you are up there in the next life, you can easily download them.                                                                                              -Fr T.V. George sdb