WHICH IS BETTER, WEALTH OR HEALTH

WHICH IS BETTER, WEALTH OR HEALTH

Outline:

1.         Money can buy many good things; it cannot buy happiness.

2.         A wealthy man is often a selfish man.

3.         Bodily health comes from mental health, not from money.

4.         Conclusion, wealth is nothing in comparison with health.

Many of us have heard the story of the king who asked that everything he touched might be turned into gold. The boon was granted to him, when he found, to his horror, that even his food changed into gold as his lips touched it. So he was in danger of starving in the midst of his riches. Many of the richest men are in a similar position. The scheming to get money, the neglect of simple pleasure and exercise, has left them with weak health and feeble digestion. All their money cannot buy back again the health and peace of mind they have lost.

The English poet, Milton, said:

“The mind is its own place and in itself

Can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven”

Many are able to understand that only when health has gone, for when young we are inclined to take it for granted. We think of good health as the ordinary state of affairs. There is nothing so good to the rich is not contented. The village workers, going out to the hard work of the field, faces his toil with contentment. He knows that his wife and family are well, and that his labour will provide enough for them. The rich businessman starts the day in anxiety because some of his investments are doubtful. The competition of rivals may lessen his profits; the latest taxation take away more of his income, so he lies awake at night troubling his mind over his bank balance. The lot of the villager is far better than the life of such a man.

Money can buy man useful things if it is freely and wisely expended. We can make the lives of those in our immediate circle more happy, we can help to feed and clothe the poor and hungry who are around us in such numbers. Men like the Quaid-i-Azam spent all their wealth for the welfare of others. How much money did he possess when he died? At the same time, it is not everyone who can practise the severe self-denial of Tariq-uddunia and money can be wisely used to help one’s self and others. The example of the old sages teaches us that wealth and possessions are delusions, and that only true riches are those of the spirit. It is said that a rich man cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.