A reading from the letter to the Hebrews:
Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for God has said. “I will never leave you or forsake you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me.?” – Hebrews 13:5
Reflection
When I was a kid I had an unhealthy relationship with video games. After my parents caved and gave me my first video game system – a Nintendo 64 – I became hooked. After getting my first job, having no sense of financial responsibility despite my parents’ best efforts, I blew most of my money on games and the latest systems. Never feeling content, I spent more and more and more.
Today, while I may have the odd race in Mario Kart with my daughters, I don’t care much for video games. It’s hard for me to fathom the amount of money I poured into games and what else I could have used that money for. However, feelings of discontent don’t disappear as you get older. Temptation to spend money on a new car, a bigger home, or other luxuries are ever present. I once met a family who lived in a nice home in Vaughn, drove a Land Rover, and recently purchased a cottage up north. At first, I thought they were being sarcastic, but they were seriously complaining about how little they have.