How Rich Are You?

How Rich Are You? by Al Millergren

From the standpoint of material wealth, Americans have difficulty realizing how rich we really are. However, going through a little mental exercise suggested by Robert Heilbroner can help us to count our blessings. Imagine doing the following, and you will see just how life is daily for around a billion people in this world.

Things to remove as a family:

Take out all the furniture in your home except for one table and a couple of chairs. Use blankets and pads for beds.
Take away all your clothing except for your oldest dress or suit, shirt or blouse. Leave only one pair of shoes.
Empty your cabinets and refrigerator of food except for a small bag of flour, some sugar and salt, a few potatoes, some onions, and a dish of dried beans.
Take out your bathroom fixtures and shut off running water and remove all electrical wiring from your house.
Take away the house itself and move into a tool shed.
Place your house in a bad part of town.
Cancel all subscriptions of newspapers and magazines.
Leave one radio for the entire city to use.
Move the nearest doctor or hospital at least ten miles away.
Throw away your bankbook, pension plans, etc.
Give your family a few acres of land to grow food on.
Knock off twenty years or more of your life expectancy.


Personal items to remove:

1. Throw away your toothbrush.
2. No more television or video games.
3. Take away the trust of your friends.
4. Take away your youth group.
5. Take away your freedom to worship.

By comparison, how rich are you?
How wisely do you use your riches?
How are you using your wealth to reach others?

This 4th of July, take some time to reflect on the blessings God has given us through this country and the freedom that we have.