There was a wood cutter living in a village. He used to go to the nearby forest to cut the wood and sell it in the market and lived happily. One day while he was cutting the root of a tree, there was a hole by the side of the root. He removed the sand that covered near the root and found a bag hidden in the hole. He opened the bag and found two-thirds of the bag filled with gold coins. He took it home. Instead of sudden riches making him happy, he was obsessed with trying to make the bag full of coins. Hence, he worked harder than he had ever worked before to fill the rest one third of the bag with gold coins. Meanwhile he lost his sleep, health and peace of mind. Hence he decided to replace the bag where he found it. Afterward He lived happily.
Jesus has already spoken about amazing wealth, “Be on your guard and avoid every kind of greed, for the quality of your life does not depend on the possessions you have, however great they may be” (Lk12:15).
We all look forward to securities on which we can depend on. If we depend utterly on the world by things – persons, things, money, possessions, social and professional status-we will surely be disappointed because any of them and all of them, might, can, and indeed will disappear one day. They all have expiry date.
When we think about securities and insecurities, the only secure and lasting things we have, are our divine Master, our own strength of mind and our integrity. Of course, we need certain an amount of comfort and conveniences, certain amount of money and certain amount of material possessions. We all know these are guarantees against failure of health, money toward old age when cannot earn our livelihood, and also to manage our day today expenses in an age of ups and downs of the economy.
But, at the same time money, status, possessions alone cannot give us security and happiness. If so, all those who have plenty of money and successful in accumulating possessions and well placed in the society should be extremely happy. We know that this is not the case. Hence what is true wealth and true security and what will bring lasting happiness? It is our attitude towards our life. St. Paul writing to Timothy warns against false securities, “There is great gain in godliness with contentment for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of this world; but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pains” (1 Tim 6: 6-10).
As we begin this New Year 2022, let us seek for the true security – the Lord himself. I wish you all a bright New Year.

Most Rev. Dr. M. Devadass Ambrose

Bishop of Thanjavur