So many options pull at Americans, vying for their time, their energy, and their money.  Where we spend those things is a reflection of our hearts.

Values and Money

Where you choose to spend your money is a reflection of your values

While watching my beloved Atlanta Braves the other night I heard an astonishing announcement.  The winner of the Home Run Derby will receive a million dollars.  That’s right!  $1,000,000 for hitting more balls over the fence in one night.  Then it made me think.  Why are we willing to pay out such an outlandish cash prize for this skill?  So, I did a little research thanks to Google.

In one year, Americans spend $100 billion on sports.  Yes, that is “billions.”  This just includes the the major sports.  God only knows how much money people are spending now on travel sports for their kids.  Three weeks ago I saw a special on a family that was behind on its mortgage and utility payments because they were spending so much on their child’s travel baseball expenses.  When asked why?  They said it was worth it to see their son so happy.  Really?  What kind of value lesson is he learning?

I was actually surprised to see the entertainment business (movies and music) as a distant second to spending.  Americans spend $63 billion on these two industries combined.  That includes concerts, shows, videos, etc.  As much as my teenagers and young adult children listen to music, I thought this category would be higher.  But, it is still a telling statistic as to what we value in life.  We roll out a red carpet, we concern ourselves with “who” they’re wearing (the designer of the clothing, for those who aren’t familiar with that phrase), and millions of people change what they look like and what they do based on the actions of these superstars.  In fact, millions lie around on couches watching “reality” television, so invested with the lives of these quasi-celebrities that they forget to concern themselves with their own “real” lives.

Finally, as a pastor, I wondered how much Americans gave to churches.  This figure tied with that of the consumption of alcohol at $50 billion annually.  It sounds like a lot of money.  But is it really?  What it tells me is that we value the God of the universe…He who created everything that exists and gave us life, He who willingly sent His Son to the cross to save us from eternal death…we value Him equally with a drink that numbs us and makes us feel “good.”  It also tells us we value athletes twice as much as we do our Lord and Savior.  Well, something’s out of whack…don’t you think?

The expression, “Put your money where your mouth is,” should actually be, “Put your money where your heart is.”  That’s a more accurate reflection of the truth.  So, I end with this question:  What do you really value America?  Do we invest more in those things that come and go…things that fade…OR do we invest in things that last for eternity?  I’m not about to tell you where to spend your money.  I like baseball and music just as much as many of you, but I also know what is truly important in my life and spend accordingly.  Take some advice from a man far wiser than I, who said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).  A wise professor once told me, “You need to major on the majors and minor on the minor things.”  Well said.

Just a thought.  I hope you take it to heart.

Mitchell S Karnes