it's not always about money

I get tired of thinking about money, don't you? It seems like we can't do anything without going back to...money. Want to lose weight? Need money for that...the health club costs money, healthy food will be more expensive and if I'm going to exercise I may as well look good doing it so there's a good $300 blown on apparel and shoes at Sports Authority (not to mention the IPOD I'm going to need while excercising so I don't get bored).

Want to get a better job? Well, you'll likely need to get that advanced degree, which means tuition and books, not to mention the requisite Starbucks grande that all graduate students bring with them to class to show that they are not only forced to draw most of their sustenence from caffeine-laced beverages but that they are in vogue as well.

Thinking about having children? Those little bundles of joy ain't free...there's the ordinary costs of diapers and well-baby care, but that's just the beginning. The nursey must be outfitted properly (hello Pottery Barn Kids catalogue) and we must prepare them adequately for life by getting on the waiting list for the both the right preschool (at $380/month) and the right soccer team.

I can think of other steps in life that take cold hard cash to fulfill, can't you? Some take less money than others. And really, if we think about it clearly, the money required depends on the kind of impression we want to make (i.e., won't people take us more seriously if we look like we're invested in the process?).

What about becoming a Christian? You might say there's monetary traps there as well. If I'm going to take that step, I need to buy the "right" accoutrements: the Bible that's currently in fashion, the church membership through my monetary support, the right clothes to wear to service, the right books to read, etc. etc. Right?

Let's leave the monetary factor out of this equation. Your experience with organized Christianity may lead you to believe that it's all about cash, but it's not. Following Jesus is not: buying/reading the right books + giving the right amount of money to the church = a ticket to heaven. It's not: giving money to a Christian charity + buying Christian music = deeper spirituality.

Jesus wants your heart. He loves you for who you are, not what you do, who you know or what you buy. He saved you despite of your shortcomings.

For Jesus, it's not about the money: your love, your life, is priceless.