There was a popular bumper sticker back in the 1980's. It was often found on motor homes, and said "we're spending our children's inheritance!" And they were! And rightfully so! A generation that had endured the great depression, survived WWII, and the Korea Conflict, and who had managed to somehow get through all the changes of the '60s, was now enjoying life, and the rewards that retirement had to offer. A unique generation, one that actually had retirement benefits, something their parents could only have dreamt about. They were able to retire at 65, or 62 if they wanted, and could do all the things they had dreamt about while still young enough to enjoy them, and could afford them. And I could remember the advice we were given by our parents, "work hard, get an education, get a good job, marry the right girl, and save a little money and everything would turnout alright." And for many in this generation, things did.
Fathers actually stayed with the same company for their working lifetime. It was not unusual for a man to work 35-40 years for the same employer, raising up from clerk to assistant manager, to manager, to vice president to president. I knew men only 10 years ago who worked over 40 years and had accomplished this goal. It was the American dream, it was a God given right, and in the land of opportunity and prosperity, something was the matter with you if you didn't. And because of their work ethics, now could enjoy the fruits of their labors. And we all wanted to be like them, for these were good and moral desires. Prosperity brought a type of security. The company I worked for would be there for me, and generally it was.
It was virtually unknown to me and my friends of anyone who came from a divorced family. And kids were looked down on, as if it was their fault and something was the matter with them if they did. Mom's stayed home, met you after school with cookies, and took care of the home. Dad's left early, and got home late, with dinner waiting. Boys played baseball, and fathers could always find time to get to your game. Girls were cheerleaders, yelling for the boys, and we loved it, even though it would take us into our teen years to admit it. We were all defined by who we were, and what we were. But things were about to change. We were all unequal, and enjoying the roles life had given us. we just didn't know it. It would take equality to show us how good we had it.
Slowly Coca Cola introduced youth soccer to the US, and now boys and girls played sports. Girls had basketball leagues, and some were better than their male counterparts. Boys could become cheerleaders and moms didn't stay home, but had what they called a career, as if motherhood and raising a family while maintaining the home wasn't one. They got jobs, and the family unit slowly dissolved, and so did their dreams. They were wasting their inheritance, the values inherited from their parents, and in an indulgent, me first generation would leave nothing for their children to inherit. And sadly, we are spending our children's inheritance today, leaving them with the debt as our legacy to them, for our lifetime of work.
In California, the average person changes jobs every two years. Nationwide you will have 10 jobs before you retire at 65, if you can afford to. Currently nationwide, there are 600 people for each job advertised, I shudder to think what it is in Detroit, where they have 28% unemployment. There is no inheritance anymore. We have lost sight of our dreams, and lost our vision. Bobby Kennedy, a liberal in his day, who would be a conservative today, said "You see things as they are, and say why? I see things as could be and say why not?" And as we try to understand what went wrong, we seek answers, that just aren't there. How can we be secure in an insecure world? What is it going to take for us to seek God?
God tells us that the people perish for lack of a vision. And we have lost our vision, after a generation of myopic values. Prosperity, or the desire for it brought about hope, and the promise of security. I will do better than my parents, and parents encouraged it because they wanted their kids to. Not an if, but a when attitude. Sacrifices would be made so they could have an education, and many took advantage of it. Only to find it today's economy the rules have all changed. But God's haven't. He tells us that as the inner man prospers, then does the outer man. That prosperity comes from God, and like the Doxology says we should "praise God from whom all blessings flow." He tells us to seek Him with all our hearts, for He has plans for a prosperous future for us. To seek Him first, then all these other things will be added. And all the time He talks to us about spiritual things, while all we can see is the physical. A security denied, because we can't spend it-yet.
And as the rain continues to fall on the just and the unjust, he still desires us to seek Him, and be prosperous. God is above the questionable economy, and our questionable morals. He hasn't changed, and won't. And that is a good thing. And He isn't spending our inheritance, but still adding to it in heaven for those who believe. He tells us the things seen are temporal, the things not seen are eternal. And right now we are in a heavy overdose of temporal. A right now, what can you do for me mentality. And unless we turn, and repent, as individuals, and a nation-and a planet, we are doomed. There is no inheritance of man other than death, and all the frustrations that go with it. Jesus still saves-and in today's economy that is a solution we all should be seeking. But it starts with you-and a choice to make. Who's inheritance will you be spending?
Today is the day of salvation-trust God. Your government is proving daily it can't provide, or give you a future. 401k's are now 201k's, the home of your dreams is worth half of what you paid for it, and your college education can't even get you a job at Wal-Mart-as a greeter. The things of the world and its values are fading, while God's are still desirable. They are love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, meekness, long suffering, and self control. And when applied with a relationship with Him, bring eternal rewards, and prosperity along the way. And a security that the world and all it insecurities cannot duplicate, but can counterfeit-if only for awhile.
A long term contract, with a no-cut clause included. A prosperity truly worth leaving for your kids to inherit. Security in the fact that God honors His contracts-and His contacts. Start enjoying your inheritance today.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com