Did you ever hear of men in their right minds burning money? I want to tell you about two fellows who saved their lives by burning their bankrolls many years ago.
Pilot W. B. Sylvester of Vancouver and his passenger, Donald Houle of Port Alberta, British Columbia, were in a plane that overturned in galeswept waters. The shivering men clung to the pontoons for hours while the sun sank and a blustering night descended. With darkness came colder winds and angrier waves. At first the plane rode the swells lightly, but gradually it settled. It was so dark that they could not even make out the shore. "We can't last through the night," said Sylvester. "We'll have to burn everything we can and trust some passing boat to see our signal."
Houle had a cigarette lighter, one that worked, fortunately. They burned it for some time, and then lit articles dug from their pockets, letters and business papers first, then pieces of clothing.
"I have only my bankroll left," Sylvester finally exclaimed. "Might as well burn it, too."
"Right," muttered Houle. "Here's mine."
One at a time they lit the bills, most of them $10 bills (comparable today to a $50 bill, perhaps). They lit them and held them up in the hope someone would see the flame. They were lighting their last bills when a faint shout reached their ears. A fishing boat had sighted one of those expensive flames. Later, Sylvester declared : "I don't know how much money went up in smoke, but I'm not sorry about a cent of it. The stuff saved our lives; you can't take it with you anyway."
Those men learned the hard way part, at least, of what Christ meant when He declared: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." St. Matthew, 5:2.
Those opening words of the most wonderful sermon ever preached, the Sermon on the Mount, form what is called the First Beatitude. There are seven others which need to be considered in the future.
"Poor in spirit" are those:
1. Who own and acquire temporal things for Christ's sake.
2. Who bear in patience loss of property, money, or other material things.
3. Who are contented with their poor and lowly lot in life.
4. Who, though rich, do not set their hearts on their wealth, but use it for the works of God.
5. Who are humble, and convinced of their own weakness, their own want and helplessness.
The words "in spirit" are most important. They point out the source, the subject of poverty, namely, the heart and will. They point out the means to poverty, namely, the grace of God. They point out the end and purpose of poverty of spirit, namely, spiritual goods, religious happiness in particular.
"Blessed" means holy and happy. "Blessed" means favored with blessings, joyful, enjoying spiritual happiness. The blessing of being poor in spirit has many effects:
1. Complete dependence of God.
2. Absolute yielding to His holy will.
3. Friendly communion with Him.
4. Large-heartedness to others.
5. Confidence in undertaking great things for God. Look at the works of mercy in our country alone, undertaken with little funds but great confidence in God.
6. Closer resemblance to our Lord and His Blessed Mother, who were actually poor.
7. Perfect peace and contentment; anxiety and fear are absent.
8. Social advantages:
A. Frugality or temperance in the use of things, as opposed to sinful waste.
B. Contentment with one's lot, a boon to nerves and peace of mind.
C. Better understanding between class and class.
D. Better relations between labor and management.
E. Diligence and enterprise and sacrifice on the part of individuals and groups.
"The kingdom of heaven" is the reward promised to "the poor in spirit." Rich and powerful is the kingdom of the spirit. Nobody but God knows what those rewards will be; but rich rewards we know they must be, for they come from Him who is All-Generous.
Are you truly "poor in spirit"?
Do you belong to one of the three following groups?
1. In the first are those who are actually and really poor, and who are, for religious reasons, contented with their poverty.
2. This beatitude belongs secondly to those who are wealthy or well-fixed, as we say, but who are not unreasonably attached to their wealth. This they show by using their money for good causes.
3. Lastly we have those who are poor by choice, and out of love for God and God's work - religious, priests, brothers and nuns. They try to detach themselves not only from money, but also from many of the honors and pleasures that money will buy.
Jesus tells us today that one sign or mark of His followers is that "in My name they shall cast out devils." One of the most powerful workers for Satan is the devil of greed for gold and worldly possessions. The spirit of Christ, the spirit I hope you have, drives out this devil.
You don't have to burn your money as did the two men marooned on their fallen plane. But you must think and live the truth that putting money in its proper place is one means of winning heaven. And money's proper place is not at the top of your scale of values. Don't let money be your god. For all too many it is their god. Make it your servant, your helper in serving the one, true God.
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Adapted from Prayers, Precepts and Virtues
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (©1949)
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