One From the Top Ten

Sometime back, I got an email that was clearly spam – a junk advertisement for a new mortgage. I saved it as a sermon illustration because it so blatantly plays on human greed and our capacity to covet what we don’t have.

Here’s how it reads:  “Your neighbor moved to a much better house recently? You certainly wanted a bigger home and a faster car, but didn’t know how to get it. We offer very competitive rates on consumer credit! No wonder people return to us for more credit! Stop calculating and start enjoying life! With our mortgage deals you can afford this.”

The ad of course assumes that I would enjoy life more if only I had what my neighbor has – or more than he has!  But scientific studies have proven that false. They have shown us that after the very basics are met, enough for food and clothing, a roof over our head, and basic health care, more money does not mean more happiness. Bigger homes and faster cars do not equate to a more satisfied life. On the other hand, as a pastor, the people I’ve met who seem to me to be the most joyful and most at peace, are those who are most generous – be it with their time or money.

Thou shalt not covet is one of the 10 commandments – for a reason. God knows it could not only lead us into debt or worse, it will certainly make us miserable!

Let us pray: Loving God, remind us of the many, many blessings we already have in our lives. Give us the capacity to enjoy what we have right here, right now. And, as we have been blessed, so may we experience your joy by sharing our blessing with others. Amen.