Page 247 - Mystic Pathways through the Bible

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wealth becomes only a means to pamper the ego and promote an uncontrolled and undisciplined mind, then that wealth becomes a curse. If you lack true satisfaction, peace, and serenity within your heart, the wealth and power you possess is meaningless, even when you have attained all that you want externally in this world.
Life should be lived in such a way that your mind recognizes the greatest treasure: the attainment of Self-realization, the awareness that you and God are one, the direct knowledge that the Kingdom of Heaven is within you. If you are truly rich, there will be an overwhelming sense of tranquility and harmony within your personality.
When you have earthly treasures, you can never relax. The greater the treasure, the greater is your worry and anxiety. Spiritual treasure is devoid of all those worries. This higher de nition of treasure does not imply that you should not have material conveniences, but material things should be a means to an end and should not outweigh your spiritual aspiration.
An episode from the life of Alexander the Great illustrates his awareness of the impermanence of material wealth. Although his life was short, before his death he had conquered most of the civilized world as well as af uent countries, thereby accumulating immense wealth. But before dying,