Doing the Math

I've decided that financial well-being comes from the ability to multiply. And I also believe that American culture is based on most people's inability or unwillingness to multiply. A few examples come to mind.

Most of us would be happy to get an extra $1500 each year. If you pack your lunch instead of spending $8/day for lunch, you would likely save around that.

Going out for a $30 dinner is not particularly exorbitant. But if you do it twice a week and cut it down to once a week you will save another $1500.

The one that gets me the most is gourmet coffee. Starbucks is the easy target, but any cafe with mochas/lattes/etc will do. We now proudly serve Starbucks coffee in our cafeteria. A large costs $1.69 with tax. Someone who gets one every day and works 20 days/month will spend $33.80/month on coffee. We spend $35/month to support an orphan in Uganda.

I realize that this may sound proud, but it's one way were I feel like we're making a difference. $30 of that $35 comes from what was Amanda's allowance. $30 of what was my allowance goes towards our church's capital campaign. The point is that it seems like these things are more worthwhile than drinking really good coffee or eating nice meals.

And, to be fair, we plan on going out for a meal that will likely cost somewhere around $85-$100 tomorrow. Lily is going to have a sleepover with her cousin and we have two nights without her. I'm taking this opportunity to take my wife out on a date. This will be our Valentine's meal, albeit a bit early. I don't think that there's anything wrong with a nice meal here and there, but let's make sure that we take care of those who need help, right?

James 1:27 ESV
(27) Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.