Do you live in the moment or do you take a long term view? How long is your time horizon? You refer to people who live in the moment as impulsive and you can see the problems with this. Do you take a long term view as a result? You can argue that your faith gives you an infinite time horizon but I also said to take no thought for tomorrow for tomorrow would take care of itself and sufficient unto the day was the evil thereof. So there are arguments for both sides and this dilemma cannot be resolved from the perspective of an independent existence.

I told my disciples that the gentiles loved to exercise authority over one another and status was measured by position in the hierarchy. Do you find that the same principle is in effect today, but there is another dimension as well, that your culture keeps score by money? People are referred to as millionaires or billionaires as if that were the only measure of worth. But I told my disciples that it would not be so among them and that they should serve rather than seeking to dominate others. Can you apply the same principle to money?

You live in a world of commerce, so you expect to pay for the things you want and need, and the range of things available to you for a price is astounding. Yet it is conventional wisdom even for those outside of the church that one thing you cannot buy is love. Have you ever given a substantial amount of money to a friend or family member and found that it didn’t change the basis of the relationship at all? Was this discouraging? But reversing the perspective to those who do not have much money to give, it may be encouraging to know that the lack will not prevent their access to love.

Have you ever been overcome by your misfortunes and asked me why they happened? Do you normally reserve this question for extreme situations, such as the loss of a loved one, or a failed marriage, or bankruptcy or unemployment? Are these honest inquiries or veiled challenges to my love for you? Have you ever reversed the question and considered that you are no better than those who have gone before, so why should you live in a time of peace and prosperity, with an education and information available to you, with a reasonable expectation of a long and healthy life?