Tek SengDr. Tan

DAILY REFLECTION

“Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”
Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭28‬ ‭

God created humanity with the divine capacity to labor with purpose, to build, create, and serve. Honest work is not merely a means of survival - it is a sacred calling that restores dignity, cultivates stewardship, and reflects the heart of a faithful servant.

In stark contrast to this biblical vision, the legacy of Imelda Marcos, former First Lady of the Philippines, reveals the devastating impact of unchecked extravagance and alleged corruption. While millions of Filipinos struggled in poverty, she amassed thousands of designer shoes, rare jewels, and priceless artworks—luxuries funded by public wealth that could have uplifted the suffering. Her lavish lifestyle, marked by shopping sprees in global fashion capitals and the acquisition of a rare pink diamond, became a symbol of excess in the face of national hardship.

Such choices not only betrayed the trust of a nation but also violated the sacred principle that our labor and resources are meant to bless others, not indulge ourselves.

True greatness is found not in what we accumulate, but in how we reflect God’s justice, compassion, and faithfulness.

Ephesians 4:28 reminds believers that integrity, diligence, and generosity are not just virtues but visible signs of a life renewed in Christ. When we labor with a heart surrendered to the Lord, our work becomes more than a task - it becomes a sacred channel through which love, provision, and grace flow to others.

"Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you."