Lance Dy

12CLE-E
Journal Entry #4

[HEAD]
As I’ve mentioned earlier, I view material resources and wealth as a way to be able to sustain
my family. My deepest desire is to be able to survive in this world, and it is through wealth that I
am able to do so, provided that the reality revolves around economics -- the concept of a
marketplace, in which goods with value are exchanged for commodities for survival. Moreover, I
also view wealth as a way to boost one’s standard of living. As I grew up, I learned that wealth is
earned rather than merely given. I was taught to work hard to achieve material success, and to
use that success to be able to improve my own life, and to be able to look after my family and
make sure that they live comfortable lives. In this sense, I may identify myself with the Rich
Young Man in the story in the idea that he did not want to just give away his hard-earned money
and possessions to those he doesn’t know. As he worked hard to reach his current state, I
agree with the notion that he must be able to enjoy the fruit of his labor. It is in this regard that I
can relate to why he had reservations about selling all of his possessions. However, there is
also one quality that I was taught with regard to material possessions -- to not spend too much
on useless things. Let me get this straight: there is no sin in being wealthy or rich. However, I do
not necessarily advocate for squandering wealth on possessions that are of no significant use to
an individual. This is when I started to agree with Jesus; He wanted to see if the rich man had it
in him to use his wealth to contribute to something good for society, rather than leave his money
being wasted on useless personal items. I am a person that believes in spending money wisely;
if you do not have any use for it, then don’t buy it. In this sense, I believe that he could’ve used
his possessions to be able to help those who do not have the luxury he has.

[HEART]
Honestly, I think that I have not necessarily been generous with my resources and possessions
for two reasons: 1. I do not have much to give, and 2. The restrictions right now make it much
harder to be able to materially help others. I am not that wealthy to start with. I’ve mentioned in
my previous journal entries that my family is actually middle-class, meaning that we do not have
that much money to begin with. My family actually struggles to send my siblings and I to
prestigious schools, as we rely on my grandparents to be able to sustain us. Due to this, we
were brought up being given only the resources that we needed, and not necessarily the
resources that we wanted. There was never room for us to keep asking for luxury items, since
they were always labelled useless and overpriced. Hence, the resources that I do have now are
composed of those possessions that I need for my academic and day-to-day life (such as
clothing, shelter, and food). Perhaps this is why I struggle with being giving -- because I never
had enough to give. I took all that I was given, only because those that were given were actual
necessities in my life. Another reason is the COVID-19 restrictions and overall pandemic
situation. As everyone is confined to their homes given the quarantine protocols, I am not able
to go out and meet those that need financial assistance. Given that most of those individuals do
not have access to the internet, to physically interact with them is really the best mode of action
to be able to understand their situations and respond to their needs. However, this option is not
possible due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Moreover, the overall pandemic situation has also
made my family’s financial situation suffer as well, given that our business has lost profit over
Lance Dy
12CLE-E
the past year due to the lack of customers. This, in relation to my first reason, has provided
more justification for my family to only spend on necessities rather than useless items, meaning
that we, in this situation, have even less to give.

[HAND]
Despite the limitations that I have, I do have big dreams. My deepest desire is to be financially
successful as a doctor, in which I experience a win-win situation in the workplace: I save lives,
while earning to improve my standard of living. Due to this dream, I am likewise inspired by the
richest men on earth -- to live a life of luxury. However, despite possibly following all 10
commandments of God, there is also sin in inaction, especially in situations wherein I know I am
capable of helping others. If I do end up being financially successful, I must be careful not to be
blinded by such material possessions from helping others. I was brought up better than to
squander cash on useless luxury items; instead, I can generously follow God by using my
wealth to create foundations and donate to charity organizations geared towards providing
every-day necessities for the financially needy. As I’ve mentioned time and time again, the bible
verse of the Rich Young Man is one that doesn’t condemn wealth -- it is one that condemns
inaction when one is capable of acting. This inaction only shows that one thing that people may
lack, despite following all 10 commandments: sincerity in their actions. When push comes to
shove, the only way we know whether one is sincere in doing a certain deed is by threatening
him/her with the possibility of loss. When one is sincere in being morally just, he/she is fully
committed to helping others despite any consequences to himself/herself. When I am willing to
lose for others’ gain, then that is when I am able to respond to God’s call of fulfilling all of His
commandments with utmost sincerity. When I am willing to lose in the physical world for the
sake of others who need me, that is when I eternally win in God’s Kingdom. Sincerity in my
actions is the key towards having eternal life.