Maybe you haven't heard - we Leipprandts are RICH.
Top 1% in the world kind of rich.
The thing is, you probably are too.
We are by no means rich the way that most Americans would define rich, but the problem is that there's no easy definition. Aside from the fact that it is totally un-PC to come out and label yourself "rich" - we know other people who are rich, but not us...right? Your neighbors with the new car and the recently renovated kitchen - maybe they're rich. Your boss who just got back from her second vacation this year, maybe she's rich. But you - just because you have a car (two cars? three cars??) and a house and a fully stocked pantry...that doesn't make you rich. Or does it?
If you wander a bit further afield, you quickly come to realize just how relative the word rich is.
Rich in China = USD $36,000/year
Rich in Indonesia = USD $11,000/year
Rich in Ethiopia = USD $1,600/year
(All of these numbers are approximately 10x the average annual income)
Rich in America? Maybe you are, maybe you're not.
Rich in the eyes of the rest of the world? You bet.
So our church started an initiative last year called BE RICH. Based on 1 Timothy 6:18, the basic idea is, if you live in this country, odds are - you ARE rich. So start acting like it.
Last year we did some local giving as part of the initiative but this year I want to make being rich a bigger part of the Leipprandt family lifestyle. B Daddy and I are looking into several opportunities to give to different organizations this holiday season and I'll be making the BE RICH project a regular feature here on La Vida - to keep me honest if nothing else.
I want to BE RICH not only during the holiday season but year-round.
I want to BE RICH when I'm not sure we'll have enough $$ to pay the Tivo bill, instead of moaning about how stretched we are. (Please catch the ridiculous nature of that declaration.)
I want to BE RICH when my check engine light goes on for the second time in one month and when I realize we've got a week left in the month and no more grocery money.
I want to BE RICH because we are rich. And regardless of your spiritual, moral or political beliefs there's no denying that if you're reading this blog, you're rich.
Are you acting like it?
Katie, you are so completely right! And the "vicious cycle" of it is amazing. If you start acting like you are rich and passing it along, God will bless you in turn. We are so quick to forget how truly fortunate we are. We have forgotten how to be greatful and are so focused on keeping up with the Joneses. Thanks for the post. I needed to hear that!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Erin! Let me know if you think of any creative ways to Be Rich on a budget...I'm working on coming up with some over here!
ReplyDeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me very much of Advent Conspiracy. I posted and was passionate about it last year (check out Nov 2008 somewhere...or perhaps it was early Dec) and was planning to do the same this year. Thinking I was too early for "the season" I hadn't gotten off my butt yet but THANK YOU for the swift kick. You can bet I'll be gettin' on it again soon and hope you don't mind if I use a little of your input from the post.
Thank you for your insight and a peek into the reality of our culture.