What Can $3.5 Million Buy You?

Right about now, many people in our country are sitting in front of television sets watching the Super Bowl, enjoying all the new advertisements from various companies. Me? I'm watching a marathon of "Law & Order: SVU" and thinking about the week I've had. I'm thinking about how things in my life are changing; how things in our world are changing.

Did you know that the cost of a 30-second Super Bowl ad this year costs $3.5 million??? $3.5 million!

We've heard so much, as of late, about how bad things are in our economy. Isn't it fascinating that we have companies willing to spend $3.5 million just to get us to buy their products?

I enjoy the ads as much as the next person but I can't help but think about how that money could be used in other ways. For example, according to the Feeding America website, $1=eight meals for a hungry person. Yes, $1.

According to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, just $10 buys a net to prevent malaria in families in Africa. And $2,500 helps to build a well in other countries so that up to 500 people can have clean water. $3.5 million would build 1,400 wells!

I always wondered what I would do if I had a lot of money. Somehow, I don't think I'll ever find out. But, what is "a lot of money" anyway? What's a lot to me may not be a lot to, say, Warren Buffet. And, someone else might think I have a lot compared to what they have.

Here's what I know — I have "enough;" in fact, in reality, I have more than enough. I have food in my cabinets; I have gas in my car. I have clean water to bathe in and to drink. I have insurance for my house, car, and health and the health of my kids. I know that compared to so many others in this country, let alone the world, I am wealthy. And, I didn't even tell you about the wealth I have that money can't buy — things like the love of my family, my faith, my friends, my health, etc.

So, the question for me isn't "what can $3.5 million buy me?" Instead, the question is, "what can I do with what God has given me?"

This week, I challenge all of you reading this to think about what you've been given. Stop comparing what you have with what others have. If you have "enough," be thankful for that.If you don't have enough, reach out because there are people who want to help you. If you have more than enough, find ways to share it.

Maybe it's time that you and I stop looking to others to solve the problems of the world — like hunger, disease, poverty, etc., and start finding ways to solve them ourselves.

What can $3.5 million buy you? A glance at the new "Ferris Buehler-esque" Honda commercial OR a reminder of what's TRULY important in life ... helping others, loving others, caring for others ... things that money can't always buy.