(no subject)
I feel rather strongly about this, so I thought I would post. I was forwarded an email recently which said:
God won't ask what kind of car you drove. He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
God won't ask the square footage of your house. He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet. He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
God won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
God won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
God won't ask how many friends you had. He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived. He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
God won't ask about the color of your skin. He'll ask about the content of your character.
God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation. He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.
If in each statement the phrase "God won't ask" was replaced with, "As you go through each day of your life, what will give you the most satisfaction won't be", then I think yes, "worldly" things such as your car, house, clothes, salary, prestige, and popularity may give you less satisfaction than acts of charity, friendship, upholding personal values, and being dedicated at work.
But neither do I believe that a life is more fullfilling when all worldy wants are denied. There is some pride and feeling of accomplishment that comes with having a nice self-image through your car, house, and clothes. (In moderation. I get disgusted by seeing "The Fabulous Life Of..." episodes.) You can have some wonderful experiences in using a high salary for travel, large projects, etc that you couldn't have without money. Prestige and popularity are signs that you are skilled on a professional and social level, which are by no means bad things.
Basically, "Love one another", "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you", but also "Eat, drink, and be merry". For tomorrow, we die.
God won't ask what kind of car you drove. He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
God won't ask the square footage of your house. He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet. He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
God won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
God won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
God won't ask how many friends you had. He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived. He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
God won't ask about the color of your skin. He'll ask about the content of your character.
God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation. He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.
If in each statement the phrase "God won't ask" was replaced with, "As you go through each day of your life, what will give you the most satisfaction won't be", then I think yes, "worldly" things such as your car, house, clothes, salary, prestige, and popularity may give you less satisfaction than acts of charity, friendship, upholding personal values, and being dedicated at work.
But neither do I believe that a life is more fullfilling when all worldy wants are denied. There is some pride and feeling of accomplishment that comes with having a nice self-image through your car, house, and clothes. (In moderation. I get disgusted by seeing "The Fabulous Life Of..." episodes.) You can have some wonderful experiences in using a high salary for travel, large projects, etc that you couldn't have without money. Prestige and popularity are signs that you are skilled on a professional and social level, which are by no means bad things.
Basically, "Love one another", "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you", but also "Eat, drink, and be merry". For tomorrow, we die.