A few weeks ago my family and I were in San Jose, Mexico (basically Cabo San Lucas).  We were privileged to stay at a really nice resort with my brother-in-law and his family.  The service and accommodations were wonderful.  One morning when I was sitting alone admiring the infinite pool and observing the other vacationers, I pondered about how comfortable I felt in that moment and how it related to my destiny.  It’s kind of an odd thing to say now, but that’s the best way I can explain it.  A flood of thoughts came to me about my comfortableness and how it was probably related to money and being in a place where everything was provided.

For several years now I’ve had a growing desire to build up wealth in order to give in abundance.  The idea of being able to give significant amounts of money to friends, family, church, and society is really exciting to me.  However, the last year I have also been dwelling on the Bible verse Luke 18:25 (can also be found in other gospels): “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”  Would it ever be possible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle?  The answer to this is never, unless God performed a miracle.  As I thought about this more, I questioned whether building wealth would actually be a wise venture.  If it is virtually impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, then why would I want to be a rich man?  What is it about being rich that makes it so difficult to even enter the kingdom of God?

My “epiphany” on the shaded pool lounger gave some possible answers to this question.  I found myself so comfortable with my surroundings that I hadn’t really felt reliant or the need for God in my life.  I had all I needed right?  Good food, exceptional service, and the occasional Chi-Chi cocktail by the poolside bar was my only worry in life.  My one year daughter is the one exception to this, but my point is that momentarily I questioned if my destiny in life even mattered.  That is an extreme way to put it, but what if I did feel that way?

I don’t think money or wealth in itself is the danger.  I think the danger is that money and wealth can cause us to think we have full control over our lives.  Lately my wife and I have been watching the TV show “Smallville” and the character of Lex Luthor depicts this extremely well.  He has so much wealth that he seemingly has full control of his life and other people’s lives.  I personally don’t think it’s impossible for a rich man to live each and every moment abiding in the Lord, but I can definitely see how it would be very difficult to.  I’d imagine that you’d have to live each and every day detached to your wealth so that if it all vanished in a single day you’d still be content with your life in the Lord.

One thing I am still thinking about is the dichotomy of these recent thoughts and my remaining desire to build wealth for the sake of giving.  Money is a part of our world whether we like it or not.  Why not master the skill of building wealth and using that wealth for good?  In the end wisdom from the Lord will answer these questions.  And if there is grace for my family and I to build wealth, may I live in it at all times seeking true riches from the Lord.

For some reason I find it difficult to think about how my daughter Claire may not ever know about a ‘home phone’ or a pay phone. Cell phones have changed us forever. It took me years and years to finally get a cell phone. I waited until I graduated college. Ironically my parents were the ones that wanted me to have one more than anybody else. Back in the day you could get a phone line with good old SBC (formerly Southwestern Bell, formerly AT&T, formerly some other names). My thought about it at the time was that if I’m out of the house, then I’m out doing something with other people, and I don’t want to be talking on the phone. Needless to say I changed, but how could I not?

Cell phones are possibly the center of our existence now, even when we don’t want them to be. Before bed, there have been many times I’ve played a game on my phone before I fall asleep. When I first wake up, sometimes I click on my phone to quickly check my mail or watch some MLB highlights. We answer our phones during meals. We do a quick search on the internet when we are out with friends and want to know the facts about something. When I walk from my car to my office (just one block), it’s assured that I will see someone using their phone on the street or on the elevator. We are all culprits.

It’s difficult for me to think about. I love the fact that we’ve technologically figured out how to connect ourselves to instant communication and information. I love the fact that we can call anyone from anywhere in time of emergency. And it’s even more amazing that I can call my brother in California and talk to him via video on phone. But has the cell phone taken over our lives and our thoughts to a fault? I think so. We don’t really plan as much anymore. We just say, “I’ll text you the location of where we’re meeting” instead of making the decision right then and there. We maybe aren’t as present as we used to be with those around us. We are more impatient than ever about needing to know something immediately.

Many people may disagree with me. This could just be a self reflection of how I think I need to change. Or maybe I’m not embracing the technology enough. Or possibly I am sad for some reason that we are in a world where we are so reliant on a piece of technology. I don’t know. I do believe though that it’s something we should think about and consider.