Remember those MasterCard TV commercials? Their theme is what money can buy, and what money can't buy. One of them goes, "28 laughs, 9 hugs, 52 smiles, 2 contented sighs: $0 (zero dollars). A free day to take them all in: priceless."
One man asked, "How much does it take to satisfy us?" And he answered his own question by saying, "A little bit more than we have!" But Seneca, the Roman sage, once said, "Money has never yet made anyone rich."
Is money important? Yes. But it is easy to overrate money's power. As necessary as money is in our world and in our lives, we do well to remind ourselves every now and then that money is limited in some significant ways.
The following exercise may help to control our greed and curb the spirit of materialism, that insatiable hunger and thirst for more and more.
You've probably done this exercise before, whether in your mind, by words, or on paper. The game is called "Things Money Can't Buy". And they come in no particular order.
Money can buy food, but money cannot buy appetite or taste. Money can buy livelihood; money cannot buy life. Money can buy healthcare and medication, but money cannot buy health, healing and wellbeing. Money can pay for transportation and mobility, but money cannot buy the strength to move around. Money can buy a diet or membership in a health-and-fitness club, but money cannot buy the discipline and self-control needed to stay in shape. Money can buy clothes but not the feeling of satisfaction you feel from wearing clothes.
Money can buy books and access to a good school, but money cannot buy intelligence, a higher IQ, or the drive to learn. Money cannot buy wisdom and common sense. Money can buy work, but it cannot buy work ethic and the fulfillment that comes from work.
Money can buy a house; it cannot buy a home and that inner sense of family. Money can buy a nice bed with the right kind of mattress, even a Sleep Number Bed or Tempur-Pedic mattress, but money can never buy sleep, a good night rest, and sweet dreams.
Money can buy a diamond ring for engagement. Money can buy marriage license. Money can buy an impressive wedding gown and ceremony. Money can buy a shiny gold ring as a symbol of the couple's matrimony. But money cannot buy marriage, and money cannot buy fidelity, faithfulness and commitment to one sex partner.
Money can buy fun, humor and entertainment; money cannot buy happiness, joy and enjoyment. Money can purchase a ticket to hear a motivational speaker, but money cannot buy the motivation you need to take action.
Money can buy cleaners; money cannot buy cleanliness. Money can buy sex and porn, but money cannot buy love and affection. Money can buy pictures, photos, audios and videos of you or your loved ones, but money cannot buy those precious memories that keep a loved one close to the heart for years to come.
Money can buy attention from others; money cannot buy their appreciation of you. Money can buy a great neighborhood; money cannot buy good neighbors.
Money can buy silence or agreement that comes with a bribe or appeasement, but money cannot buy forgiveness and a clear conscience. Money can buy a deal and the signature to a contract, but money cannot buy honesty and commitment to the terms of the deal.
Money can buy position, power and influence, but money cannot buy character, respect, and the ability to lead. Money can buy a good plan, but it cannot buy the push or drive to implement the plan to a rewarding end.
Money can buy gifts and donations, but money cannot buy generosity, that spirit of charity and philanthropy. Money can pay the salary of an exceptional coach; money cannot buy team spirit.
Other things money cannot buy: compassion, faith, hope, confidence and trust (Continue the list; add your priceless items.)
King Solomon said, "Money answers everything." Yes, but notice that he said "thing"; money is only the solution when you are talking about a tangible "thing". There is a price to every "thing", but the true treasures of life are "priceless". The things that money can buy are not the most important things in life. In fact, the most important things in life are not things.
