Monday, October 13, 2008

Investing Wisely

A week ago I was shopping at Sam's Club...there's so much in those places that would be cool to have, but you really don't need. While I was walking down an aisle, I noticed a recliner chair and looked for a moment at it. It didn't take long for my eyes to be drawn to the next shiny thing, but something caught my eye- so I looked again.
Squished between the seat cushion and the arm cushion was a $10 bill! I took the money out of the chair and looked around for someone looking at the ground...didn't see anyone, so I put it in my pocket and continued shopping. When I got to the front of the store, I asked for a manager. I told the manager where the money was when I found it and said that I doubt anyone would come looking for it. I had hardly finished my sentence when she told me, "No one usually does. People find money around here a lot and turn it in. It never gets claimed and we end up putting it into a charity fund for needy children."
I thought that was pretty cool. Then I thought about what I would have done with the money if I had kept it- blown it on iTunes, bought a new DVD, maybe get lunch at Chili's....but everything I thought of had one thing in common- ME! I was glad that I gave the money to the manager because hopefully it would go to someone that really needed it...and do more good than buy lunch, a movie, a CD...whatever.
As our nation braces for what seems to be an unavoidable financial crisis, what are you doing with your money? Are you saving it? Are you hoarding it? Who are you hoping your money will benefit? If you are the only person it is going to benefit, how much good is that money? I know that we all have bills to pay, some of us have families to feed, but the reality is that we could survive with A LOT less than we have/want. Are you investing in others?
"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;" 1 Peter 5:2

3 comments:

Jason Huffman said...

I think it's great that so many people have turned money in. We get locked into the doom and gloom of "today's society" but the fact that people turn in money all the time says something about the moral integrity of our culture.

Anonymous said...

Nice article on how to invest wisely. I like all the methods you have mentioned therein. As investment can be taken as a part of personal finance planning, thought of mentioning that to keep yourself updated regarding the latest news plus the new investment opportunities it is prudent to read personal finance newsletters regularly.

prasanga said...

Help the poor. You will be blessed.