Money, money, money

Money, money, money
Must be funny
In the rich man's world
Money, money, money
Always sunny
In the rich man's world
Aha-ahaaa
All the things I could do
If I had a little money
It's a rich man's world

I used to smoke cigarettes. I started to help me deal with stress. I've always dealt with streess, being an over-achiever. One day I realized that I was honestly hooked and addicted to smoking. I hated that feeling. The feeling that something had control over me. It's grip was very strong. So that was the day that I decided to quit. Quitting smoking was the second hardest thing I've done in my life. It was brutal. And I gained like 25 lbs. by doing it, which definately didn't help.

Money. I am starting to believe has this same power over me. I am addicted to the pleasures it brings me. Yes,just because I am not a full fledged shoppaholic, or a gambler, or carelessly waste my money, I am addicted. Just as you can be addicted to cigarettes even if you only smoke a few a day (which unfortunately wasn't the case for me). The point is, sure, I can make myself feel better - atleast I am not as addicted to money as mr. so and so. Or my idols aren't as big, and they are not made of gold, but I still have them, and that's what counts.

This Abba song at the beginning is comical because money is not a funny issue in society. The more people are slaves to it, the more they take it seriously. Even in the church. Money has a hold on them. And most won't admit to it.

I have been considering going to the War College in Vancouver where my brother is. Praying about it, thinking, weighing things out. One of the most selfish and vain parts of this deliberating process was: I like to get new clothes. I like wearing make up and dressing up fancy to go somewhere nice for dinner. I like having a pair of earrings, or buying cd's. What if I go there and get convicted to sell it all. What if God is calling me to wear one outfit for the rest of my life? I warned you that this was vain...but honest. Does that not seem ridiculous? But it's true. I know that God will prepare me for whatever He is calling me to do. But I hold so tightly onto the pleasures and comforts that surround me. I like the life I have. I like the fact that I can choose what to eat, not forced by an economic restraint. I like that I can buy new shoes when mine get old. I like that I can own 20 shirts.

But the bible says that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter into heaven. Some of you may say - but you are not rich! Bull. I am. Statistics prove that if you have any money saved up for a rainy day, even if it's only 5 bucks, you are one of the wealthiest (something like in the top 20% or less...if you really want to know I can look it up) people in the world.

I love the movie Fight Club. Tyler Durden says "The things you own, end up owning you". It's true. Although God might now be calling me to "sell all [I] have and give it to the poor", he might call me to do that one day. What will happen on that day? Will I cry? Will you?

Money - how much does it own YOU?