May 14, 2019 (Tuesday).
I was browsing the Houston Chronicle newspaper and came across a penthouse for sale for just under $4 million. That seemed like a lot of
money to me so I asked Google to tell me something about people who can afford that, and the reply came in a flood of photographs of penthouses around the world. Turns out that the $4 million digs are on the cheap side. Penthouses sell for much more. In New York City, such a place will cost you a little less than $50 million, with one offered for about the same in Singapore. Move on over to Hong Kong, and the price will be pretty close to $60 million, and in Monaco for nearly $66 million. There’s a real bargain in London: a 41-story building with 191 luxury apartments and a penthouse that will be a triplex with two roof terraces. It will cost you $90 million unless you can negotiate a lower price. There’s a penthouse in London that can be yours for $227 million. Wow, what an array of residences. This is just a sampling. Seems you can find them almost anywhere, but can you afford them? Evidently, someone can. My question about who can afford such things has yet to be answered.
I recall a log cabin in Dallas near the place where President Kennedy was assassinated.
This small log structure is a reconstructed model of the home and trading post erected in 1841 by Dallas founder John Neely Bryan. My, how times have changed.
If you can afford any of the residences named above, good for you. I’m happy for you, and glad that you have been so successful. My prayer for those less fortunate is that they will have learned, as did the Apostle Paul, to be content whatever the circumstances of their lives.
This country’s first pioneers included many families who learned how to survive in a wilderness. They overcame many difficulties to lay a foundation for those who have come after them and have prospered in this great country.
In our affluence, let us not forget the teachings of yesterday’s blog, which commended generosity as a way of life. If you are among the many who find life difficult day by day, remember that God loves you and is willing to help you.
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again–rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 NLT).