I'm kind of a business geek---besides 'cool' magazines, I've got subscriptions for pubs like Fortune and Forbes. The Forbes subscription was a reward for an online survey program. Along with Forbes comes a quarterly 'Forbes Life', a year old offshoot that seems to exist to remind Americans that ridiculously expensive items are still something we should care about. Inside the latest issue is an editorial about their first year---acknowledging that rolling out a publication like it--at a time like this--wasn't great timing.
"Luxury now is not about accessibility" the editorial squeaks, "...--but durability." It goes on to make the point that goods made of superior materials are well crafted---they have not only value but worth.
Really? Let's take a stroll through the new Forbes Life.
There's a chair that looks like it's from the Jetsons that goes for $17,760.
A Louis Vuitton Trunk--real price unknown, but they list up to $36,200.
A $1200 Steuben decanter.
A very ugly $2200 plaid vest.
$31,500 earrings.
An Aston-Martin for $282,500.
Some blazer found only at used-car lots, $3,455.
The question has been raised, "when this recession is over, will we return to our old money grubbing, possession coveting ways? " For the Forbes Life crowd, the answer is yes. They ducked and covered--now the storm might be over, so have the lawn care workers pick up the branches and let's get back to the life we deserve.
Jesus was hanging with the disciples and sharing that rough times were ahead, that He'd be killed. Peter, always good for opening his trap and inserting his foot, took issue with that concept. Jesus nailed him and then said what we have all forgotten. "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"
I'm not saying rich people have misplaced priorities. I'm saying we ALL do. Things will never, ever fill the gaps in our souls we all have. The thrill of that new purse, bicycle, car, or house will fade away like dew on the grass and we're left sitting wondering why we still feel empty.
What fills you up? Is it something you bought---or something you learned?
There have to be at least 10 big money, big possession, big deal guys who have killed themselves since the recession started. Maybe they were crooks, maybe they couldn't stand losing the stuff they loved so much, maybe they were ashamed at what they'd become. Did they gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul?
Your soul is the single best thing you could ever invest in that has value. Endless value. Eternal value.
And it doesn't cost a thing. That price was already paid.
Luke 2:16-20
9 hours ago
2 comments:
The only thing we take with us is our character - who we were, rather than what we had. I'd much rather invest my time and money in becoming who God wants me to be than in accumulating status symbols.
Although every so often, I get Coach purse envy =^)
Danny,
I really enjoy the way you weave some real life experiences and observations and always find a way to tie in the message of the gospel.
Our family has been laid low by unemployment during this year and we've been able to focus on what really matters and appreciate what we have. We've never been materialistic but we were very aware of how much stuff we have that we don't need.
Where this will end is unknown to us but we pray daily and give thanks for what we have.
It's nice to have you back on the blog. I missed your inspiration and promise to be patient for your book to be published.
Carole
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