Money is complicated.

Having money is complicated. Of course, not having money is complicated too.

Money complicates our lives, whether we have it or not.  We certainly want to have enough so that we do not have to scramble to survive every day.  Yet few of us live on the edge of survival; our lives are much more comfortable than that.   Sure something could go wrong in a minute and that security we've worked for melts away.....but if we tell the truth, few of us are worrying about where our next meal is coming from.  In fact, few of us have stood in a free meal line in order to eat.

I'm not judging, I am describing the truth.

To survival folks, our existence, with bank accounts and cars that usually run for us and medical insurance and a job that pays regularly is beyond their hope.....and to them we are wealthy beyond measure.  What could we possibly want?

Well, that is a subject deeper than the ocean.  Wanting is our middle name.  Perhaps desire is at the heart of 'original sin' or that innate brokenness of all humans that leads us to embarrassing, hurtful behaviors.  Adam and Eve wanted knowledge, and perhaps an apple too.  We want things like a little nicer car and a bigger cushion in the bank.

[Unless, of course, you have survived a life threatening disease and then perhaps all you want is another day with your loved ones and the sight of a beautiful sunrise.  Nice cars are sooooo not important.]

See how complicated money is?  It brings out our baser instincts.  It holds out to us the possibility that better is just around the corner.  Good is just down that block.  Safe is just a half mile walk.  Chasing that Franklin tied to the end of a stick, we believe the false promises.

Promises that are false because they are time stamped, due to expire, not good after the night when your soul is required of you and you come face to face with the Divine Creator.  [While your children/loved ones divide the booty.] That dollar bill convinces us that we will WIN! But then is life about winning?  or it it about living?  is it about being happy?  giving happiness to others?  Truth is, in the end, we all simply die.

Money pretends that it can solve all our problems forever.  It pretends that it can give meaning to our lives and comfort us when the clouds gather or hope is lost.  We choose to delude ourselves into thinking that this is true.  It isn't.  Only God - the one who created in the beginning and will create again - is forever, and ever, and ever.  If you fill your head and all your days and hours and years chasing a dream that can never be caught...there will be little time left for God and for what truly matters in the eternal long run.

Not judging.  Just pointing out that it is real easy to squeeze God out of your life, until, of course, your life is squeezed out of you.

Money is complicated.