January 4, 2003
1:00 PM
Biography
Words of Remembrance
Harland
Tricia
Pat
Others
Scripture Reading
Romans 8:31-35,37-39 “Who shall separate us from the love of God…?”
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me who are weary…”
Leaving Treasures Behind
Matthew 6:19-21
In such a time as this, as a family you have come together as many loved ones left behind by the one who had died. We are able to identify and appreciate the amazing connections that we have within a family as well as beyond and see that truly we are connected in the incredible web of life. In the passing of Mr. Hing K. Wong, we again see that this is true. We have come this day to value and celebrate how one person, a child of God has left behind treasures that we have to share with one another as well as to pass down to the next generation.
Jesus taught us to know what are the treasures in life. He said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth
and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up
for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust
consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where
your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
When Mr. Wong visited Chinatown and had lunch at Uncle’s Café with his relatives, he never allowed anyone to pay for his lunch. He said, “What am I going to do with my money?” My guess is that he probably paid for everyone’s lunches too. He knew that the treasures we might have on earth we can’t take to heaven. And it is only when we give away what we have to others is when we discover that the true treasure is the love of God made visible in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Throughout Mr. Wong’s 85 years of life, he blessed his children and his family with treasures for living. His legacy is teaching and modeling for his family that the real treasures in life are to know how to live well and to live with meaning. He took time out to enjoy watching the 49ers, the Giants and even wrestling!
He treasured his newfound freedom to work hard and earned a honest living that he joined the US Army during WWII and became a loyal citizen. During this time of a looming threat of war and conflict, we are indebted to men and women like Mr. Wong who is willing to fight for the treasure of freedom.
It seems that Mr. Wong was not afraid of hard work. From washing clothes to delivering them to hotels and hospitals; from running a grocery store seven days a week to becoming an active member in his church, he taught by example to his children and grandchildren that if you treasure the joy of living, you would need to work hard for it. He taught a “tough love” that even some of us here today could learn more about. Mr. Wong taught you the rewards of industry and dedication can lead to early retirement and the blessings of a loving family who would take care of you for the rest of your life. Our young people need to learn about this.
Because we have so little of this, one of the most valuable things that we have today is the treasure of time. Mr. Wong gave the treasure of time to his family. He gave away time to watch baseball and football games and even wrestling matches with Harland. Although Harland never liked sports the way his Dad did, Harland liked the time his Dad spent with him. He gave away time to call Tricia and his other grandchildren just to see if they were okay. He gave away precious time to visit his relatives and friends in Chinatown even when it became increasingly more difficult as time went on. He gave away a lot of time to maintain the ministry of his church. Mr. Wong knew that not only was it not important to store up for himself treasures on earth, he also knew that the valuable treasure of time was to be given away too.
Paul wrote to his young disciple, Timothy, that godliness and contentment are found when we realized that since we brought nothing into the world, we should take nothing out of it. (1 Tim. 6:6-7) Mr. Wong spent his life leaving his earthly treasures behind and in the process found godliness and contentment.
When the time comes for each of us to complete this life and to begin a new life in heaven with the Lord, we all will need to ask ourselves, “What am I going to do with my money?” or “What treasures will I be leaving behind?” Mr. Wong’ greatest treasure that he is leaving with his family is his faithfulness as a provider and the love of a father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather. You have received these treasures from him and with these treasures, they will sustain and bless you for the rest of your lives.
Let us give thanks to God for the life of Mr. Hing K. Wong who gave of himself and in so doing, acted as Christ has taught us—“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” By giving up all his earthly treasures, we know that Hing K. Wong has received the treasure of everlasting life.
Let us pray.
We gather in your presence, O Lord, to give thanks to you for Hing K. Wong. Your Spirit has richly blessed his life, bearing the fruit of a great legacy of faith. We pray for these family members, that they may be comforted by this legacy of faith. The treasures of wisdom, love, and time evidenced in Hing K. Wong’s life serve as proof of your abiding presence and blessing. Lord, your comforting presence also serves as a challenge for us. Lead us to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in our own lives so that we might serve as a help to others even as Hing K. Wong has helped and ministered to his family, friends, and church. In your name, we pray. Amen.