Money, It’s a Gas March 3, 2008
Posted by Matt in Uncategorized.Tags: corporation, investments, Mammon, money, work
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Saturday we were invited to and were able to attend an eighth birthday party for the newly adopted son of some friends of ours from church. While the kids were having a great time running wild in the backyard as children are wont to do, the attending men were relegated to the living room where we were able to converse in relative peace. Two of the attendees’ interests and work were weighted heavily to the financial side, so naturally the conversation quickly turned to matters of dollars and cents and investments and other monetary concerns of that nature.
It did not take very much time for me to figure out just how admittedly ignorant I am to all things financial. Heck, we are less than five years removed from unemployment, government cheese, and using credit just to get by. At this point in our lives, we have no savings, no retirement fund, no investments, but we are doing just fine. Of course, that’s not to say we will never have any of these things, but I think after several years of financial difficulties we’ve come to a realization.
Money is not that important.
Sure, you have to pay your bills, you need to put food on the table and clothes on your back and a roof over your head, but, outside of that, it sort of bothers me to even think about it. I’m thankful for the monetary blessings that we have, but many times it feels like they are just another millstone hung about our necks, dragging us down.
Now that I’ve worked for a good sized corporation for a while, their ultimate motivations have become more and more of a concern. I enjoy what I do – at least when it comes to researching and breaking down numbers, but, it seems as though everything in the corporate world revolves around profitability and defeating our competitors – two things that often cause me to wonder whether or not there is room for someone who identifies themselves as Christian. It weighs on my mind a lot and I often ponder over it – if the company I work for serves Mammon, does that mean I do too?
Eventually, when much of our debt is paid off and we can afford for me to take a major pay cut, I think I want to leave the corporate world. Perhaps the nonprofit arena would be a better fit for my worldview. Or maybe my inner muse will spark me to try and write something of longer form – perhaps even something publishable…
Thoughts?
With the passage of time, it is perfectly natural to evolve from the pursuit of the almighty dollar to reconnecting with the almighty. The corporate world is about eliminating the competition, regardless of whether or not it results in people being laid off or left in financial ruin. It is as 180 degrees from Christianity as possible. A lot of lip service is given to respecting your competition and dealing fairly in the marketplace, but its all talk. You’re definitely headed for a non-profit position and a creative hobby at the very least. I know of one former co-worker who actually looked into divinity school as he was so disgusted with spending nine hours a day trying to put other businesses out of business. He ultimately resigned himself to continuing to earn a substantial wage doing what he was doing, but also began volunteering and planning for the day he could safely move his family’s finances away from that soul-sucking situation and towards a non-profit (i.e. lower paying) role…or taking the plunge into becoming a person of the cloth.
Thanks for the comment, Sportsattitude. I’m a little too far out in left field to be successful in any type of ministerial position, but I would love to someday work for a non-profit. There are just so many money issues, though, at this time, but hopefully in about 5 years or so (if things go to plan…which they hardly ever do), maybe we can consider taking the plunge…
Thanks for that perspective. I spent my morning at an NGO here in Togo talking about what they are doing and what else they would do if they had the resources. They struggle to conduct a summer camp for AIDS orphans who live below the international poverty level, and the total cost per child is less than $10 a day! Seeing that really takes the excitement out of pursuing the American dream!
I really appreciated your comments. I come from a family that has been through some major financial hardships (no finances)! I believe that those who have done without have a better appreciate of life outside monitary gains. Money is nice but not the solution for all problems. It is easy for me to say “money doesn’t matter” seeing how I don’t have to worry about doing without. However, the same is not true for those I love and I see God working for them in ways those with money could never appreciate. Unfortunately, I find myself occasionally daydreaming about what I would do with alot of money…which reminds me why God has not given me alot of money. I thank God for providing for me and hope I never work for money but work for His glory. I believe I can do this in any occupational field (ministry, corprate world, non-profit, etc.). Keep on working for His glory (as I know you do) and receive His dream for you.
Continuing the dialogue…courtesy of the Rev. Billy Graham…”Give,” Christ commanded. Yet it was more than a command. It was an invitation to glorious and abundant living. If a person gets his attitude toward money right, it will help straighten out almost every other area of his life. Have you ever realized just how cruel and deceptive a master money can be? Some people spend their entire lives slavishly serving it – often without even realizing it. No wonder Jesus warned, “You cannot serve both God and Money” (Matt. 6:24). The chief motive of the selfish, unregenerate person is “get.” The chief motive of the dedicated Christian should be “give.” Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38) It’s a promise, and we know Jesus never breaks His promises.
Matt…In my life experience of almost fifty years, I have been on the financial doorstep of ruin not once but twice. In both cases, not only did I pray even more intensely but I also concentrated on giving more to charity and friends in need, not less. In both cases, I became richer not just spiritually but…eventually…financially as well.
There is actually another opportunity for giving/serving in our immediate community that I’ve recently brought up and that is currently being discussed among the leaders of our church. Since it is still in the discussion stage right now, I’m not going to bring it up on here yet, but I promise you’ll hear more soon…