$76,000 For What???!!!!

This morning, while eating breakfast with my youngest son, we were watching Good
Morning America (GMA). They were doing a story about parents who are creating unique rooms for their kids, some of which cost upwards of $76,000. Yes, you read that right ... $76,000!

My family is very blessed. Each of our three children has their own room, with their own bed and, I'm embarrassed to admit, their own small television set. Their rooms aren't fancy; the beds are from IKEA (one of my favorite stores), the furniture is mostly hand-me-downs, and the decor is all personal to them (writing on the walls, posters, awards, etc.).

When I saw the promo for this story, I had to watch it. I couldn't imagine what parent in their right mind would EVER spend $76,000 for one room in their home, let alone a child's room.

But, there they were: parents who were doing just that.

I said to my son, "That is disgusting. There are people who don't even have a home to sleep in and they're spending that much money on a kid's room. Most people don't even make that much money in a year in their job!"

I think about the kids on the receiving end of these rooms and what their parents are teaching them — about themselves, their families and the rest of the world. I know it's judgmental to assume my "way" of thinking is the right way, but how can anyone think that spending that kind of money on a kid's room is teaching a good value?

In just a few short months, my husband and I will be sending our oldest son off to college. When he goes, we hope he takes with him all the values we've taught him, not the "things" he's received.

We hope he remembers how blessed he is. We hope he remembers that a large portion of the world, let alone the United States, doesn't have the same benefits he has. We hope he remembers that giving to others is much better than receiving. We hope he thinks about the value of money and how giving $20 to help someone in need goes much further than spending $20 on a special custom coffee drink...or whatever.

If I had the chance, I'd love to ask the parents that spent that money on their kid's rooms, "What are you teaching them about giving to the world, giving of themselves?"

I'm a Christian, a Jesus-follower. My faith demands that I think of others first; that I try, as best I can, to meet the needs of the least among us — the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, the imprisoned. I must use the resources God has blessed me with, not for my own gain and glory but for God and for His kingdom in this world.

So, next time I have $76,000 laying around, you can bet that I'll be spending it at places like a local food pantry, or a world hunger program, or an AIDS prevention program, or a prison ministry, or an evangelical outreach ... NOT, on my kids' rooms (or mine).

What would you do with $76,000? What does your faith demand of you?