It’s a sensitive word these days. One that rings true for too many of our ears, and quite honestly, one we’ve gotten a little too comfortable with and now generally accept it as ‘normal’ or ‘common place.’
And yet, I’m convinced that somewhere along the line, we got things messed up. Maybe it’s the American Dream gone bad. Maybe it’s just human nature. But I think it stands to reason that our culture has got a serious problem with money management.
I may be young, but it doesn’t take brilliant mathematician to look around and see it.
I went riding my bike through a fancy, well-to-do neighborhood this evening (because, ironically, that is what I do when I need to get away and think), and one thing stood out to me more than the grand architecture or plush landscaping . . . and that was all the For Sale signs. Yard after yard was marked with a convenient little sign out front, enticing you to come take it off their hands.
Now, coming from someone who did not grow up with money and has never known anything beyond middle class, my first reaction to this is, “How can anyone come this far, have something this nice, and still not be satisfied??”
But then I had to wonder if this was really the only alternative. How many, I had to wonder, took out mortgage after mortgage, refinanced a million times, and used whatever other means necessary to maintain a façade that, at long last, was all but falling to pieces.
I say all of this not to be judgmental. For I know I have much to learn as far as finances and mortgages and growing up is concerned. But I’m convinced that there is, in more cases than we realize, an epidemic going on here of putting on an outward appearance, of living beyond our means, of keeping up with the Kardashians, and of not being able to be content with what we have.
But what I don’t understand it why. Why in the world do we feel so compelled to compete with one another for the most and biggest and best things to the point that it kills us? To the point that we are completely strapped with no where to turn, and yet, instead of climbing out of the hole we dug ourselves into, we just keep digging more and more furiously, as if we are suddenly going to strike it rich with buried treasure that will justify all our spending?
And sadly, it’s usually the ones closest to us—the ones we should be loving and preoccupied with—that we end up neglecting in this vicious cycle of “fake it ‘til ya make it.”
As I rode my bike through this neighborhood, 1 Corinthians 13 came to mind. I know this isn’t exactly what it’s talking about, but I think it is truth just the same. I’ve taken some creative liberties. I hope you don’t mind.
And now I will show you the most excellent way:
If I acquire all the finest things this world has to offer me, but I don’t show love and generosity to my own family or those in need—I am a fool and the joke is on me.
Give me a life that is patient.
Give me a life that cares more for others than for myself.
Give me a life that doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Give me a life that doesn’t seek to impress others.
Give me a life that is content with what it does have.
Give me a life that is slow to anger.
Give me a life that doesn’t keep a scorecard.
Give me a life that does not enjoy pretending with people, but instead
Give me a life that seeks to be genuine all the time.
Give me a life that trusts God always,
Always looks for the best in every person and situation, and Jesus,
Give me a life that never gives up on having a life that has these qualities.
Because, in the end, I’d like to hang my hat on more besides the temporary trappings of this world.
You are very wise regardless of how young you might be.
Very good, Kristin