$100K!!

-by Micah-


A WINDFALL
 When great-Aunt Emma past away last week, it was a shock to the whole family. Her health had appeared fine, but sometimes these things just happen. We all morn for Aunt Emma, but the sorrow has been tempered a bit.

We all knew Aunt Emma was rich, she had a home in Carmel, and vacationed to Mexico often. But just how rich was not realized until word came of the inheritance.

We were not even that close; I remember visiting with her years ago at a family reunion in San Fransisco, but since then we hadn't exchanged anything beyond the annual birthday greeting. The news of $100,000 came as a bit of a surprise. But we are not complaining in the slightest. Thanks Aunty Emm!!!

SPENDING THE MONEY
The cool $100K has not even hit our bank account and the money is already spent. Funny how that works. Not physically spent mind you, but in our heads we know where every dollar is going.

Being obedient, and striving for virtue, the top 20% will go back to God's Kingdom. There are multiple ministries and organizations who we would love to bless.

Next, prudence must rule. We still have student debt and this will be taken care of. Another $20K leaves as quickly as it came.

Then we think towards the future and will continue to fund our Roth IRA, and perhaps set up a Health Savings Account (HSA). $5K to each should do nicely.

Now the fun begins right? Obedience and obligations satisfied leaves us some room to play. We both need new computers, we both need road bikes, we both need new mtn. bikes, and we could really use a more Colorado oriented car for the winter driving.

Okay, okay, the fun may sound a little over blown, but hey! We just came into $100 grand! Live a little. Toys all come in at about $21K.

So, there it is: $71K down and $29K left, the perfect amount for a down payment on a house! Colorado home-ownership here we come!

THE QUESTION

But you know what this leaves me wondering? Is this the way it's supposed to be? Is this windfall really a good thing? Have we indeed bettered ourselves in this process? Sure we will have been "obedient" and "prudent" with our giving, and our savings, and our investments; heck, the debt pay-off in itself is applaudable. But in the end, will we actually be closer to God?

THE TRUTH

Well, in case you thought it odd, and even audacious of me to flaunt this news (and all the spending details) in your face, I think you would be right.

The truth is, this is all fabricated; there is no Aunt Emm and no $100K. But my point is this:

THE POINT

I asked myself what I would do with $100K. I answered honestly, that really is what I would do. And for the most part, I believe it a decent expenditure of the money. Paying off debt is always good, saving and investing are prudent, and giving to the Kingdom is the BEST use of your money period.

But when I asked myself the question, "Would I be closer in relationship to God?" I realized I would not. In fact, quite the opposite would result.

In spending that money I would have eliminated liability, liability that makes me very dependent upon God, I would have created a "safety net/buffer," something that would make me less dependent on God. To top it off I would have created/purchased more idols/gods in my life to worship other than Him. In the end I would have pushed myself further from Him.

You could say to me, "But you would have given twenty-thousand dollars to the Kingdom; that would bring you closer to God." But does $20K-closer plus $80K-further add up to a positive?

THE END

So, in the end, I think I got a glimpse of why God does not shower us with tons of money, even when we know He wants good things for us. Maybe someday, when I could honestly say I'd give it all away, He will bless me like that. But until then...

Would $100K be nice? Yeah it would! But if it means I mentally lose my dependence on God while pride and idols take root, then no. No amount of money is worth that.