We live in a world of television evangelists. Maybe not in Malaysia but in the USA, these people have their own television programmes and some of them would make all kinds of promises provided money comes in. For example, a "pastor" may claim that he can heal you if you donate a certain amount of money. Some even go to the extreme of promising places in heaven!

In today's Gospel, Jesus admonishes the Scribes and Pharisees for putting more importance on material things instead of actually living out the demands of God and helping others also to do so. These people are preventing people from entering heaven and not going in themselves.

What we have in the world today is basically the same thing. By leading people astray, these so-called pastors would definitely not gain entry into heaven. And worse, they are preventing others from going also. Unfortunately, they are many people who are gullible out there - people who would believe and do anything to gain entry into heaven.

We should instead place more importance on the disposition of our hearts rather than what we offer. Only when we have the right intention then our offerings will be made sacred and pleasing to God.