Spending Myself

Source: http://onebodyonehope.blogspot.com/

I reckon that re-assessing my value system should be an annual (or more) affair in view of how easy it is (for me) to forget.  Was reminded once again that life is more than pretty things and material gratifications in view of their transient nature and momentary impact.

“It's good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it's good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven't lost the things that money can't buy.”

- George Lorimer

Even though the pragmatic part of me recognizes that I don't need another pair of shoes or handbag, this desire to accumulate never seems to be satiated. In fact, while Francoise Sagan might argue that “Money may not buy happiness, but I'd rather cry in a Jaguar than on a bus”, life is much much more than the acquirement of earthly pleasures. As Tony Campolo wrote in "Who Switched the Price Tags?":

"It is easy to undervalue what makes life joyful and to overvalue what eventually proves to offer little, if any personal gratification. All too easily, we get our value systems mixed up and then become confused about what delivers the fun that God wants us to enjoy."

Something for me to remember when I next spot another "good buy":

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
- Matthew 6: 19-21

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."
- Colossians 3:1-3

It's time to spend myself on others rather than merely on myself. *stares at her bursting wardrobe, numerous shoes and scary number of bags*