Desire for wealth

I was really challenged recently by a message I heard from a pastor called Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill church.

His challenge was this, "has our desire for wealth stolen the very wealth that you truly desire"

A key point that he made was that the does chasing wealth get in the way of you seeing your kids, because your working 14 hour days seven days a week?

I must be honest I have chased wealth from a young age but never from the stand point of being MR BLING that was just not me, but from the stand point of not being poor. This drive comes from the fact that I have lived in lack whilst I was young and hated not going on field trips, not having the latest trainers, having no present on my birthday and worst of all seeing my mum have no money to give her kids for school dinners.
All these things caused me to be so money conscious that I would be the person that worked 14 hour days, 7 days a week. I would sacrifice time with my wife and my kids and when they complained that they never seen me I would state "Well I am paying the bills and giving you guys a lifestyle I never had"!

But the truth is I was not any more happy than I was a kid and poor. Why I asked my self I live in a nice house, I have enough clothes, been on holiday, kids go keyboard, guitar and kickboxing I have more than in my youth 10x over. Why still not happy?
Because what I really wanted was to spend time with parents, do family things, speak about my day and share my achievements. Then I thought that's what my wife and kids want and they was not receiving it. Yes they had stuff but what they wanted was more of me and I really wanted more of them.

So I made a decision Saturdays is family day, no mistake. That was a start, but I now I more often than not have dinner around the table with the kids. Ask them about the day, sometimes I wish I never asked. My eldest at eight has become a match maker to her friends. As long as she not looking to be paired with anyone that's OK!!!:). I also ensure that I read them the night time bible story once again more time with them. But the most important thing I make sure we have fun, play fighting, singing, dancing (I don't dance very well but we will still call it dancing), bike riding and we also go kickboxing in the same class. None of this doesn't cost any money or very little but it cost my time. But what a return on investment I am receive!!!

I also trying this with my wife (COMMUNICATION) I am repeatedly told this is important from my wife. The truth is I tried for years to buy my wife affection, but all she wanted was me. Me to listen and ask how was her day, to pay attention that she lost weight at the gym. Once again this doesn't cost money but cost my time.

NOW don't get me wrong I still work hard as I still have some financial goals and so does the kids and wife (Disneyland for the kids and a walk in wardrobe for the wife and Range rover for me). The difference now I make sure as much as possible I get the right balance.

The bible states "what is it to conquer the whole world and never have loved". I put it this way what good is it if you have a large bank account but no one you love to share it with?

Just looking at my kids sleeping tonight, I realise my true treasure. I have already purchased the true treasure, my job is to ensure that treasure grows and develops.

So go and take care of your financial wealth but ensure to invest time, effort into the true wealth that lasts a lifetime.

Remember "God gift to us is life, what we do with that life is our gift back to God"