Money. Whether it’s elections, energy policy, or the cost of basic necessities, nothing moves without it. Multinational corporations with more earning and spending power than many small countries, rely on it. It can be used or good as well as evil. To be sure, we all rely on it – money.
This past election cycle here in the United States, and it’s really not over yet, saw $10 billion spent on getting or trying to get candidates elected. Just think how many roads or schools could have been repaired with $10 billion. A lot, as a recent satire in The New Yorker pointed out, we must be the envy of the world to spend that money on elections.
Money. Sometimes when we spend it we feel better. Sometimes when we have to save it, we feel deprived. I have to admit I do wonder what drives some people to spend their money on 6-foot high blow-up polyester turkeys, some of which have “Thanks” across their decorative belts, which cost more than a Thanksgiving meal. Think of how many could be fed at a soup kitchen with the money it cost to buy one.
Prayer for the Day
As we move closer to Thanksgiving Day, O God,
Help us to remember the true spirit of gratitude;
We know that in spite of higher costs for the essentials
We have much to be grateful for.
May we extend our bounty to those who have little,
Not just at this time of year, but all year round.
In the name of the One who reached out to all,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
“In my country, I would worry that spending ten billion dollars on campaign ads would result in the entire government being ousted,” a resident of Tajikistan said. “But America is such a great nation that you can spend that much and the results are barely detectable.”
- Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker Daily
If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to.
- Dorothy Parker, American journalist and satirist (1893-1967)
Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the evil of my persecutors surrounds me?
Those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?
Truly, no ransom avails for one’s life, there is no price one can give to God for it.
For the ransom of life is costly, and can never suffice,
Psalm 49: 5-8