Padre's Corner - A wise investment
June 29, 2021 - Padre Mark Kalvaitis
If there is a God and she gave you anything you asked for, what would you want?
The minister at church asked this question the other Sunday. Would it be stuff? Health? One more day with a loved one who had passed away?
In response to this question, someone in the congregation exclaimed they wanted more money!
I remember thinking to myself how I would love some more money, that life would be better if I was richer. After reflection, is trying to get more money the best way to achieve a rich life?
The thing about money is you often feel like you don’t have enough. Once you have met some basic needs of food, clothing and shelter, what do you focus on next? Do we look for others in our community who don’t have these basic needs met or do we turn wants into needs?
There will always be someone speeding past you with bigger, better and more stuff. How much time do we spend thinking about stuff to buy, and how much time do we spend enjoying what we have? Many of us, tired and worn out, keep running without ever stopping to relax and enjoy what we have.
The Stoic philosopher Seneca was on to something when he said, “It is not the one who has too little, but the one who craves more, that is poor.”
I know for myself; it is much easier to shop for groceries when I am not hungry. It is easier to avoid dessert if I don’t walk into Baskin Robbins and ask to sample all 31 ice cream flavours. The same can be said about material riches.
When I watch TV, every few minutes I have to be reminded about how much better my life would be if I traded in the old for the new. There are countless shows I can stream showing people being told they are not good enough. Everything needs to be updated from their face, their house, their clothes – even their partner. They all need a makeover!
I propose a new show called, “No thanks, I’d rather spend time getting out and enjoying what I have than watch the Kardashians complain about being stuck in a mansion during COVID.”
Being a part of the military, it is easy to crave more and place our focus on monetary things. There is always the next rank and pay level to reach for, and we can miss enjoying the present while we chase after something in the future. We all need to be reminded of how rich we are in things beyond material wealth.
In the Oscar Wilde play, A Woman of No Importance, we are asked, “Who, being loved, is poor?” How much value do our closest loving relationships bring us?
Growing up my father used to say to me, “Mark, as you look after others, God will look after you.” I know one of his favourite quotes to live by came from the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew:
“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.”
If you are looking to be rich, why not include being rich in love? Diversify your portfolio and invest in your friends and family, and spend time nourishing what feeds your soul. These are things money can’t buy. But, I guarantee, they are always a wise investment.