One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and
one who gives gifts to the rich — both come to poverty.
–Proverbs 22:16
- He hates his life, but Jay feels trapped by the circumstances. Maybe next week it will get better. He’s been hoping to land the big account, but it seems he has never done quite enough. Even the vacation he put together for the CEO didn’t seal the deal. If he could just get the account, he is certain he would be happy!
- It’s Jessica’s birthday. After opening her fourth present, the 9-year-old seems bored, but her mother insists she open another. Grandpa and Grandma watch eagerly as she tears the wrapping off the gift from them — an iPhone! She pulls it out of the box and, with little emotion, begins to push buttons. “Say thank you,” her mother prods, inwardly praying the girl will show some form of appreciation.
- The barefoot children squeal with glee while playing kickball. There is no Xbox in their home and they share a bicycle, but their laughter fills their home with joy.
- Jill sits at her desk pouring over the budget numbers once again. It’s 6 p.m. and she longs to be home with her family, but she has to create a budget that is workable. She returned to work last year when she and Jeff decided it would be nice to have some vacation money, but the hours have been grueling and she hates the commute. She doesn’t have time to play with her kids anymore and she is short-tempered a good deal of the time.
- It’s nearly freezing outside when Luke pulls into the driveway. After being laid off two weeks ago, he has spent nearly every waking hour searching for some way to provide for his family. His wife, Emily, has been so patient — and frugal. They have eaten some kind of beans every night for the past week, but she manages to find ways to season them differently so it seems like a different meal — the kids haven’t even seemed to notice. As he opens the door, he is greeted by three bouncing children, all eager to get the first hug.
Sometimes wealth has little to do with money … How rich are you?
—Kathy McMillan is director of Employee Spiritual Care for Loma Linda University Medical Center.
