Gifts to Mom
If you are wondering why this is in the "On God" section, see the bottom.
Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors and lawyers and prospered. Some years later, they chatted after having dinner together. They discussed the gifts that they were able to give to their elderly mother who lived far away in another city.
The first said, "I had a big house built for Mama."
The second said, "I had a hundred thousand dollar theater built in the house."
The third said, "I had my Mercedes dealer deliver her an SL600.
The fourth said, "Listen to this. You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know she can't read it anymore because she can't see very well. I met this priest who told me about a parrot that can recite the
entire Bible. It took twenty priests 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000 a year for twenty years to the church, but it was worth it. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it."
The other brothers were impressed.
After the holidays, Mom sent out her "Thank You" notes.
She wrote: "Milton, the house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway."
"Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home, I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks."
"Michael, you give me an expensive theater with Dolby sound, it could hold 50 people, but all my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing and I'm
nearly blind. I'll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the same."
"Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you."
So, you ask... why is this in the "On God" section?
Well in reading this, it seems as though there are several wonderful analogies:
1) It seems as though if the sons had actually spent time with Mom, they would have known her better. Reading between the lines, my bet is that she would have far more appreciated time spent with her than just sending expensive gifts.
So too it is with God and with your family members. Without time spent, aren't gifts almost worthless?
2) Expensive and elaborate gifts are worthless if they have no value to the user. That which is good is not always profitable just that which is profitable is not always good. Or as the Bible puts it, "What good does it do you to gain the wealth of the world and lose your own soul in the process?"
3) That which you give to God will not always be used in the way that you intended it to be used.
