I will never forget the day that my daughter's sixth grade friend told me that. We had been discussing someone who had recently lost a fortune and had become very bitter as a result. She suddenly piped up with that all knowing scowl that only a twelve year old girl can truly master while proclaiming, "God don't like rich people!" She said it as if it was a mortal sin worthy of an eternity in hell. She immediately made a snap decision from that point forward to dislike the person we'd been talking about. I've met her dad. He's a nice enough guy and from what I can tell, he agrees with his daughter. They are very regular attendees at their church. I don't know what church they go to, but all I could think to myself at the time was, "Who in the world is teaching her that!?"
For my daughter's sake, I bit my tongue. I wanted so badly to quiz her friend and find out the roots of that belief system. How does one logically come to that conclusion? I was under the impression that God was known to shower you with riches if he liked you. Solomon was extremely rich and God liked him. I thought that God's opinion of us had more to do with our character, not our bank account. I could even see that how you amassed your fortune could be important in God's viewpoint. I think about Job and how he was tested to see if money was the reason for his devotion to God. Upon passing the test, didn't God dump piles of money back into his lap again? And what about the father in the prodigal son story? He had money and God liked him.
Just as ridiculous to me are the people who spin it the other way around, as if God don't like poor people. They act like they're closer to God because they have money. Funny thing money, it can buy a lot of things, but I was under the impression that God wasn't for sale. Rumor has it that some churches and individual clergy can be bought, but not God Himself. Nowhere in the bible did I ever read that you could bypass the rules and just pay an entrance fee to get into heaven's gates.
I thought that money was a tool sometimes used for testing us. Do we remain spiritual while humbled and poor or do we become bitter and turn our back on God? Do we remain spiritual while spoiled and rich or do we become self righteous and turn our back on God? And what about the way we treat each other? Does the amount of money we have dictate how much love we are to receive from each other? "Congratulations on that job promotion you worked so hard for, buddy! But hey, you're too rich now, so me and God aren't going to hang out with you anymore."
What a silly concept that money would have anything to do with one's spiritual self-worth. I'm sorry for those children who have been raised to believe that the amount of money they do or do not have dictates whether or not God will like them. Personally, I've raised my kids on the idea that you behave yourself as best you can, and I do mean 'best.' Heed your spiritual calling. Love one another. Everything else will fall into place as it's meant to be. Oh, and be thankful for what you have. God don't like people with bad manners.
Copyright 2004, Skye Thomas, Tomorrow's Edge
About The Author
Skye Thomas began writing books and articles with an everyday practical approach to life in 1999 after twenty years of studying spirituality, metaphysics, astrology, personal growth, motivation, and parenting. After years of high heels and business clothes, she is currently enjoying working from home in her pajamas. Go to www.tomorrowsedge.net to read more of her articles and to get a free preview of one of her books.
cleaning help near Mundelein ..There are a lot of sophisticated parenting theories and techniques... Read More
You need to smart to be able influence adolescents. You... Read More
Everyone needs friends, and, as parents, you and I both... Read More
Many families, ours included, have learned that breakfast is eaten... Read More
A certain educator was once asked at what point should... Read More
Oh Please, Don't Say Maybe!!!!Are you often a participant in... Read More
We want our children to do the right thing, especially... Read More
Is your baby approaching his or her first birthday and... Read More
Summer Survival The... Read More
What is Happening in the brain of children, teens, and... Read More
Bedtime and children's sleep habits can cause nightmares - for... Read More
Do you have a consistent problem with your child lying... Read More
What is hard for parentsLetting them learn from their mistakes.Trying... Read More
Teaching kids to deal with conflict effectively and peacefully is... Read More
Single parenting has seemingly become an acceptable norm which is... Read More
Backpack? Check. Notebooks? Check. Ink-pens? Check. Clear Skin? Mommmm!If you... Read More
As a mom of 4 who's youngest child is about... Read More
Many people consider plush toys great for children. They say... Read More
Parents play a critical role in their child's success. These... Read More
For parents, keeping our kids safe is a constant top... Read More
Coping with a child's bad behavior, perhaps more than any... Read More
21 Reasons I Love Being A DadWhat you will read... Read More
1 - Forgive even if you will never be able... Read More
Our children are growing up bilingual in the French part... Read More
Predicament:My son is 4 1/2 years old. His younger brother... Read More
reliable maid service Wilmette ..What's in a name? Er?well, everything, really! Of course your... Read More
When parents help their children learn to read, they help... Read More
According to researchers, most children enter school with a good... Read More
Bath time can be fun or it can be a... Read More
When you hear the phrase, 'guerrilla parenting techniques', what images... Read More
Is there anything wrong with lying, cheating, stealing, shop-lifting, taking... Read More
School authorities often complain that classes are too large. They... Read More
While most fathers aspire to become the best Dads they... Read More
Imagine a child who lacks ownership of his own life,... Read More
While on a recent trip to the grocery store, I... Read More
How to Get Your Child to Love Reading was conceived... Read More
Detox To Conceive.. If you're having trouble conceiving... Read More
Let's face it.The job market is getting tougher every day.Computerization... Read More
Many children enjoy TV, and they can learn from it.... Read More
"I took care of Callie," my three-year-old announced.Callie had been... Read More
MYTH: All teens have to rebel, and the teen years... Read More
Having been a parent educator and a PBS consultant for... Read More
Working with adults (as well as children and teens) for... Read More
Start some gardening traditions with your kids. Give them their... Read More
Today's dads are more hands-on than ever before and their... Read More
In today's mental health system there is a pattern of... Read More
Not all parents subscribe to the notion of "tough love,"... Read More
There are software programs that you can purchase to keep... Read More
You can learn a lot from children.The best part of... Read More
Are you a parent concerned about passing values on to... Read More
Parenting |