Have you ever played the game where you would think of what you buy if you had a million dollars or more? I know I have contemplated what I would do: buy my mom a house, invest, pay my sisters college tuition, buy a new laptop, probably a guitar ,etc. What struck me recently was reading an article two weeks ago about how thousands of people waited in line for hours (some up to 12 hours) for a lottery ticket to win the 640 Mega-million dollar lottery. The wait and line was so bad that in some of the locations selling the tickets, they had to bring out portable toilets for them!!!!
This got me thinking. Why did these people wait so long...spend so much time to get these tickets?
Just like any other human being they believed they could possibly win. Second they believed in some way that winning would help eliminate their financial problems and many other problems:past, present and future. I can only thing of the classic Puff Daddy and Mace song: "Mo Money Mo Problems" rings very true. (to hear this song click here)
After reading and doing some research, there is a laundry list of Lottery Winners who have had increased depression, suicidal thoughts, and ended up broke within a couple of years. Beyond this relationships have been ruptured and scammers have come out of the wood work. Families were torn apart over the almighty dollar.
Now in fairness there are wonderful stories of lottery winners who invested, didn't spend much and are financially responsible. But sadly this is far smaller amount then one would think.
Two Reflective Thoughts:
1. As someone who put too much trust in money/wealth-----money will not solve your problems. I grew up with relatively little money. It was hard and stressful but even when we received more money than previous it didn't solve many of our problems. Grant it some of us could use a couple bucks to help pay for bills, health insurance, car insurance...etc. But ultimately money will not solve our issues. We think it will, and we rely on it entirely too much. Jesus made this point clear: The problem isn't the money....its YOU. (Luke 16:15)
2. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells us our hearts will be restless unless we find contentment/peace (or Shalom) in God and God alone.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
Matthew 6:31-33
“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Luke 3:14
Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.”
Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.”
Philippians 4:11-13
For I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular I have learned the secret of eating well or going hungry of facing either plenty of poverty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the One who lives within me.
For I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular I have learned the secret of eating well or going hungry of facing either plenty of poverty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the One who lives within me.
Finally we have to be honest with ourselves and how we handle what we have been given already! Fortunately God gave me a wife who keeps me in check and makes budget reports for me on our finances. She knows my heart....and how my I like my toys.
Be Blessed.
