(no subject)

[blistermoth]

I finished listening to the audiobook of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone last night. I feel like I'm the last person on earth to read it. Rowling is a master storyteller. The reader on the tape, Jim Dale, is brilliant too. I'll start the tape of Chamber of Secrets on the way into work.

My favorite laundromat is closing to remodel for a month. It's a very nice one so I'm not sure why. Maybe the new owners will put the TVs away from the washing machines so I don't have to listen to Oprah insult moms who don't have the time and money to outfit themselves to the standards of "What Not to Wear."

But I really want to write about is my sensitivity to when people at church talk about finances, specifically their latest purchases. Yesterday friends of mine at church we're talking about their new car which was "just under $20,000." Now I know that $20K isn't a lot of money to spend on a new car. But I feel inferior cos I can't imagine spending that much on a car in my lifetime. Inflation may prove me wrong I guess. Then there's my friends from the church I used to go who are buying a very nice house that my librarian salary will never be able to afford either. On the other hand, I'm fully aware that I have more resources than 85% of the world. So why do I feel inferior in the above situations? Jealousy is the problem I guess. I should be happy when my friends can afford nice things. On the other hand I feel quite ashamed of my air-conditioner less house and dirty, scratched up car. But I wonder how many people have left the church in similiar situations? Should we caution against such discussions for the sake of the kingdom?

Comments

[calledisrael.livejournal.com]

i hear you - i know this frustration.
although i am not sure that this sort of thing should be damaging to the sake of or cause of the kingdom. my question to think about is why it makes you feel inferior, because you are obviously not. would you really want to spend all that money on a car? and is there any reason why you are inferior if you don't, whether by choice or not?
sure, it may be sort of insensitive on your friend's behalf. i know people who buy planes and fancy cars and multiple houses - but they know it doesn't make them superior, and they don't publicize it. and that is how it ought to be, imho. i choose to spend as little as possible on cars and housing, because i have other priorities for what money i do have right now. and i am just fine with that. i am on church staff, so i would imagine we are in similar economic situations - and i would imagine that you have made some similar choices.
and as we both now, having so much materially does not make your life better or you happier. this is a grace i learned from traveling overseas. i would way rather be poor, and authentic - and happy.

so be encouraged. and be intentional. you don't brag about your choices in that way, i imagine, and so don't let it affect you so much when they do. and maybe they will stop. i am so sorry it made you feel bad - that shouldn't happen at church.

[blistermoth.livejournal.com]

Thank you.