Stinking Rich

The lotto draw tonight is over $43 million dollars. Wow. That's a lot of money. It got me to thinking about two things.

1) Would I be trying to live with less if I wasn't at least partially forced to? I am trying to eat less because it's better for my health. I'm trying to spend less because, well, we just don't have the money to spend more. I'm trying to consume less for the sake of our planet, knowing that our kids will inherit whatever mess we leave behind (and it's the right thing to do). But what if there weren't these outside pressures? What if it didn't matter? Like if I won $43 million dollars. That kind of money can change things quick. I could eat what I want, and just exercise more (I wouldn't be bothered with that pesky "work" thing), or pay to have fixed what ever health problems I developed. I could spend what I want, because realistically I don't think I could go through that kind of money in my lifetime. And as far as the planet is concerned, I could assuage all my guilt by buying carbon credits, or a hybrid car, and still live the rich and famous lifestyle (that's what all the stars seem to do). It's a tough question, and I'd like to think I would still think to same way, but money changes you. A lady at work on Friday was saying she'd never want to be anything other than poor, because having money changes you. You don't often meet people who want to be poor, but I liked her reasons.

2) Is $43 million dollars worth losing all of my credibility? I've been a pastor, and I'd like to be a missionary. Even if I wasn't either of those, there is something credible about people trusting God where they are at and working out their lives/faith with fear and trembling. Winning $43 million dollars would erase that in the blink of an eye. Who wants to hear about "the Lord providing" from someone who never has to worry about Him actually providing anything ever again? In my opinion, winning the lotto would immediately exempt me from being an effective minister to anyone anymore. Any thoughts? Am I off on that?