Get rich quick

“A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished”. Proverbs 28:20 NIV

I have written before about my job. I had back to back days that illustrate how it can go. Monday came and I had everything organized. I made good time and I found people at home. Normally that produces a good day, but at around 5:00 pm I had no sales. That is never fun but happens.

It was late in the day and was getting dark. I knocked on a door that looked familiar. It looked that way because I had knocked on it every week for about the last month with no response. This time they answered. I ended up having a good week in that house, meaning I hit close to my weekly average in one house. It’s not often, but it can happen.

Then today rolled around. I was organized and on time and optimistic. That’s a great combination. But the same situation unfolded in that I had a sale in just one house. This time it was smaller but may have paid for my gas for the day.

The difference in the two days? Monday my production ended up great, but my attitude was off. I was getting impatient. I kind of had a conversation with God going, but I noticed I was doing all the talking, which is usually not as good as when I listen. Today, not much production but the difference in me was significant. I had more peace. I had more patience. My mind was more quiet.

I saw some really beautiful country. It’s all flat, but I appreciated the landscape better. I had good conversations with people but not very many were interested in buying. I stumbled on to a log cabin in the middle of nowhere. It was stunning and in 15 years of working that zip code I had never noticed it. They did not buy anything, but their place was amazing.

The weather was chilly but beautiful. It was really a peaceful day. But I noticed something else. You know how at times the sun meets the clouds and the prism of color explodes out of them? I saw that all day. The sky was fantastic. We have not had snow yet and some of the fall colors are fading, but not all of them. With the right perspective I can see an art display every day.

This time of year can be harder to work. People are getting into the holiday season and money is tighter. I am conscious of the fact that for me to do well I have to find people who are at least making ends meet. I regularly ask people if they will have food left at the end of the month. Sometimes they say no.

The windshield time can get me thinking. So, when I got home, I did some quick research (Google). The poverty level in the United States is annual income of under $12,760 for one person. It is $26,200 for a family of four. Over 50 million people live below that line. If you look at a worldwide scale, nearly half of the population on the planet lives on less than $5.50 per day. That is $2,000 per YEAR.

I evaluate too much. I compare myself to what I think I ought to be able to do. I compare myself to what I think other people are making when in fact I do not have any idea what they are making. I only assume it is more than me. The verse above says if I am “eager to get rich” I will “not go unpunished”. While I am not sure exactly what that means, maybe my punishment is already self-imposed if I am concentrating on the wrong thing so much the blessings all around me become less noticed. Still there, just amazingly not as noticed.

When we compare ourselves to others, why do we usually compare “up”? It’s self-defeating.

When I talk to God, why don’t I listen more?

Challenge: You know how churches put cool sayings on their signs? I saw this sign on my way home today, “Get rich quick. Count your blessings”.

Rick Claiborn