Friday Poll: If You Had More Money

Posted on March 20, 2009 
Filed Under Social Concern, Spiritual Life

I read an interesting magazine interview last night with a woman who answered the question, “What are 10 things you’d do if you won the lottery?” Her answers were thoughtful, and surprised me a bit. Instead of the expected “quit work and travel” mentality, she indicated she would “thank God a million times,” give away a significant portion to charity and her church, and invest in her community. And yes, she would buy a few things, including a nicer car.

As I reflected on her answers, I tried to see an application to my own life. Now, I don’t play the lottery, and don’t endorse any form of gambling (not even during March Madness, sorry). Dr. Dobson has spoken convincingly about the damaging effects gambling has on individuals and families. So, I am opposed to games of chance, including lotto. But I started to wonder how I would answer that “10 Things” question.

Just what would I do if I suddenly came into a very large sum of money? Probably something along the lines of this woman, starting with gratitude to God, making sure a sizable amount went to our church and charitable organizations, taking care of some long-term family needs and helping out a few community efforts, too. And hey, I’d even consider a newer car! But I’d like to think I would not change my lifestyle in any appreciable way, and that I would exercise wisdom and humility with that unexpected income.

And then, this thought came to mind. So what is keeping me from making sure I live today with those very same priorities? Really, gratitude, giving, community involvement…if those things would be important in a hypothetical situation, like winning the lottery, why not make sure those are my values for today? What is keeping me from keeping ‘the main thing the main thing” today, with the present circumstances and situations in life? Am I living today with an intentional effort, not squandering the opportunities God places in front of me, regardless of the state of my finances?

So, let me ask you a similar question.

What three things would be most important to you if you unexpectedly received a large sum of money?

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Comments

3 Responses to “Friday Poll: If You Had More Money”

  1. Scoti on March 22nd, 2009 7:15 pm

    None of the voting choices appealed to me. I would set up an organization to help single mothers obtain reliable transportation, learn job skills and provide educational or tutoring opportunities for their children.

  2. Scoti on March 22nd, 2009 7:16 pm

    In third world countries, I would also provide micro loans for single moms to set up businesses so they could support their families.

  3. Admin on March 23rd, 2009 2:02 pm

    Some creative, thought-provoking ideas there, Scoti!

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