Dollar in my wallet
This morning I found a dollar in my wallet. That doesn't happen often, because I usually don't carry cash. At first I was sort of happy to find it there, hiding in the folds of worn leather, slightly crumpled and green, but then I remembered something I read recently: a vast majority of people in this world live on less than $2 a week. That means, for most people in the world, half of this weeks pay was found--forgotten--in my back pocket. What does that say about me? What does that say about them? What does that say about a context that asks. "A dollar? What can you do with a single, lousy dollar?"
I can remember walking through the grocery store parking lot with my grandma, and she would bend down to pick up a penny, and I would say, "Grandma, it's only a penny." I'll always remember her response: "99 more and I'll have a dollar!"
There's another saying I remember hearing a lot when I accepted the call to ministry. People would tell me things like "There's no money in preaching," and I would respond (cliche though it may be), "Money isn't everything." It was their response to that little Platonism that I remember: "Money isn't everything...but it sure helps!"
Jesus said, "It is impossible to be in bondage to both God and money (Cotton Patch)." Truly, I think it's impossible to be "in bondage" with anything and money. Money is a jealous master, and demands our desire.
Perhaps that is why so many people are blinded by the needs of others; they are driven by that overpowering addiction to money. "No universal health care"--because it would mean less money for me as I pay more taxes, for the insurance companies, for the doctors, etc. Whether that is actually factual or not is irrelevant in an argument over money. "War"--because it's profitable, boosts the economy, means more jobs, etc. Again, whether it is factual or not is irreleveant.
Maybe we should stop worrying about what makes more money and start worrying about what brings sincere joy and peace. Perhaps we should reevaluate our addiction to the "Almighty Dollar." Who knows, we might even enjoy the exodus from such a cruel master.
(Didn't think I'd get that much for a forgotten dollar in my wallet!)
CPT
I can remember walking through the grocery store parking lot with my grandma, and she would bend down to pick up a penny, and I would say, "Grandma, it's only a penny." I'll always remember her response: "99 more and I'll have a dollar!"
There's another saying I remember hearing a lot when I accepted the call to ministry. People would tell me things like "There's no money in preaching," and I would respond (cliche though it may be), "Money isn't everything." It was their response to that little Platonism that I remember: "Money isn't everything...but it sure helps!"
Jesus said, "It is impossible to be in bondage to both God and money (Cotton Patch)." Truly, I think it's impossible to be "in bondage" with anything and money. Money is a jealous master, and demands our desire.
Perhaps that is why so many people are blinded by the needs of others; they are driven by that overpowering addiction to money. "No universal health care"--because it would mean less money for me as I pay more taxes, for the insurance companies, for the doctors, etc. Whether that is actually factual or not is irrelevant in an argument over money. "War"--because it's profitable, boosts the economy, means more jobs, etc. Again, whether it is factual or not is irreleveant.
Maybe we should stop worrying about what makes more money and start worrying about what brings sincere joy and peace. Perhaps we should reevaluate our addiction to the "Almighty Dollar." Who knows, we might even enjoy the exodus from such a cruel master.
(Didn't think I'd get that much for a forgotten dollar in my wallet!)
CPT
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