The Bigger the Bankroll the Tighter the Rubber Band
08/19/10 10:48 Filed in: Gratitude
No one knows how long this recession will last, but the sooner we start focusing on our blessings the faster we’ll recover emotionally and spiritually. We need an attitude of gratititude. But why stop at thanking God for what He has already done? Do as Venerable Solanus Casey did and, ‘Thank God ahead of time for what He is about to do for you.’
"Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 19: 23-30)
The Gospels don’t tell us what became of the rich young man after he wandered off, leaving Jesus behind. But we do know what happens to those who turn their back on the Lord in the headlong pursuit of riches. Sooner or later they discover that all those extra zeroes in their bank accounts add up to nothing. Consider, for example, what three of the world’s wealthiest men had to say about their great riches:
• “I am the most miserable man on earth.” (John Jacob Astor)
• “I was happier when doing a mechanic’s job.” (Henry Ford)
“I have made many millions, but they have brought me no happiness.” (John D. Rockefeller)
It might seem easy to dismiss the comments of those millionaires as utter nonsense, but before you do consider this: the average American today enjoys a better lifestyle than all three of those tycoons of the past. Even now, at the depths of the Great Recession, we enjoy the highest standard of living in the world. Despite, whatever losses you may have incurred, you are still counted among the most affluent people on earth. How happy has your money made you?
When times are tough, and we’re in a financial bind, the loss of money poses a special threat to our spiritual well-being. Those financial losses can loom large in our minds and tempt us to become bitter and angry at God. We may even wander off and turn our back on the Lord just like the rich young man did in today’s Gospel. He wanted it all – great wealth now and heaven in the bargain – but things seldom work out that way.
No one knows how long this recession will last, but the sooner we start focusing on our blessings the faster we’ll recover emotionally and spiritually. We need an attitude of gratititude. For starters, we can thank God that we live in a democracy where we are free to earn a living as we see fit and worship and praise Him for such other blessings as:
• Pure, hot and cold running water and
indoor plumbing
*An abundant supply of wholesome
fresh foods from throughout the world
• Access to health care
• Public utilities
• Free public schools
• A roof overhead
• Autos and public transportation, air
conditioning, microwave ovens, TVs,
computers, cell phones ... the list goes
on and on.
And, perhaps the biggest blessing at a time like this, is a social safety net provided by our government and church.
I’m sure you can think of many other blessings and answers to prayer.
But why stop at thanking God for what He has already done? Do as Venerable Solanus Casey did and, ‘Thank God ahead of time for what He is about to do for you.’
The Gospels don’t tell us what became of the rich young man after he wandered off, leaving Jesus behind. But we do know what happens to those who turn their back on the Lord in the headlong pursuit of riches. Sooner or later they discover that all those extra zeroes in their bank accounts add up to nothing. Consider, for example, what three of the world’s wealthiest men had to say about their great riches:
• “I am the most miserable man on earth.” (John Jacob Astor)
• “I was happier when doing a mechanic’s job.” (Henry Ford)
“I have made many millions, but they have brought me no happiness.” (John D. Rockefeller)
It might seem easy to dismiss the comments of those millionaires as utter nonsense, but before you do consider this: the average American today enjoys a better lifestyle than all three of those tycoons of the past. Even now, at the depths of the Great Recession, we enjoy the highest standard of living in the world. Despite, whatever losses you may have incurred, you are still counted among the most affluent people on earth. How happy has your money made you?
When times are tough, and we’re in a financial bind, the loss of money poses a special threat to our spiritual well-being. Those financial losses can loom large in our minds and tempt us to become bitter and angry at God. We may even wander off and turn our back on the Lord just like the rich young man did in today’s Gospel. He wanted it all – great wealth now and heaven in the bargain – but things seldom work out that way.
No one knows how long this recession will last, but the sooner we start focusing on our blessings the faster we’ll recover emotionally and spiritually. We need an attitude of gratititude. For starters, we can thank God that we live in a democracy where we are free to earn a living as we see fit and worship and praise Him for such other blessings as:
• Pure, hot and cold running water and
indoor plumbing
*An abundant supply of wholesome
fresh foods from throughout the world
• Access to health care
• Public utilities
• Free public schools
• A roof overhead
• Autos and public transportation, air
conditioning, microwave ovens, TVs,
computers, cell phones ... the list goes
on and on.
And, perhaps the biggest blessing at a time like this, is a social safety net provided by our government and church.
I’m sure you can think of many other blessings and answers to prayer.
But why stop at thanking God for what He has already done? Do as Venerable Solanus Casey did and, ‘Thank God ahead of time for what He is about to do for you.’
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