Yesterday, like a million other people, we got in on the Mega Millions lottery game hype and bought a couple of tickets for the $1 billion jackpot. I don’t even know why; there was virtually no chance of winning. As it turned out, there was only one winning ticket and, assuming the winner took one lump sum instead of annual payouts, the take was roughly $707 million. I could imagine a pile of one million dollars, possibly two. But seven hundred and seven piles??? It’s mind boggling.
We didn’t win, of course, which is why I’m able to write instead of having to be on the phone to a tax attorney. And I’m grateful!🙏🏽 I imagine the winner’s life will never be the same, and I would even venture to guess that it won’t be happy, based on what I’ve read about such people. More often than not, they end up broke and lonely, and sometimes those closest to them don’t fare much better. As I write this, I’m beginning to wonder why I even wasted my money on those tickets!
Now that I think about it, there were a few very well off people in my extended family who never seemed satisfied with what they had, no matter what. In fact, two ended up in prison over something having to do with money. Another one’s step-children clung to him like leeches. None seemed truly happy.
I’m grateful for the reminder of just how blessed I actually am, as well as for remembering that money can’t buy love, or happiness, or good health, or a good sense of humor or a thousand other things. I’m not just grateful for what I have, I’m satisfied. Having enough is plenty.
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ~Hebrews 13:5
