Perspective – What is Really Important in Life?
March, 2021
What is really important in life?
Take a few moments to consider the actions of those in the world. Some run here and there, setting goals for
holidays, bigger houses and fun toys. Some are busy making sure they are getting home on time with refreshments
for the game. Some are preoccupied trying to plan for renovations or figuring out how they are going to get all the
work done at home and the cottage this weekend. Some make commitments to their children to ensure they have
more than when they were young. Not that any of these things are necessarily wrong, but what is important in life is
pretty evident.
During this pandemic it has been extremely nice to see families doing creative things together because…well, in most
cases…there was nothing else to do. Maybe the family fun times together will be one of the things that will re-shape
the new normal when life is not as affected by the virus. Some have come to realize that the enjoyment once
experienced by reaching for lofty and often expensive objectives can be replaced with impactful memories created
through less costly fun times planned within their homes. It is heartwarming to watch on almost every nightly
newscast the stories of families or young people who found helpful ways to reach out to those around them in
specific need. The relationship between parents, their children and neighbours are better for it. We are reminded
that the home is a good place for families to learn together some of the significant and practical lessons of life. The
family is one of the places where skills important to living productive and cooperative lives can be demonstrated.
There is no better place than with your family to learn proper perspectives and important attitudes about money and
to put them into practice.
The apostle Paul had a friend named Timothy who helped him so much in his work that Paul considered Timothy like
a son. In one of his letters to Timothy, Paul admonished him to remember that “the love of money was a root of evil
things”. He went on to say that the love of money actually distracted many from being motivated by what really
matters in life. That is because the things that really matter in life do not have a connection to money. For example,
things like love, joy, peace and friendship do not need money. They need personal commitments of truth, honesty,
trust and respect.
There are a lot of books that can help to educate families about handling money and possessions. For millenniums,
families have taught the next generations, through word and example, the best and most beneficial behaviours in
handling financial and material possessions. There are many creative ways to help each family member establish
good habits with money. It may be interesting to know that the Bible has over 2,300 references to this topic. The
Author knew that money and material wealth would create quite a challenge to us all!
The next generations need to be prepared and taught to be good stewards of their resources. The lessons about
financial responsibility, proper use of debt, the magic of saving and investing, understanding the concept of
contentment and cooperation with others can be learned and best demonstrated at home. What about the
important lesson that the purpose for money is not for one’s personal gratification only but can provide for the needs
of others too?
Money, if left unchecked, can become a master pushing a person to disregard and destroy relationships. Yet, by
learning better attitudes about money, a person will be the master of it instead. That sounds better to me!
What is really important in life doesn’t just happen on its own. It takes desire, determination and a bit of help at
home.