the best things in life

Today in the One Year Bible, we learn an important lesson about money. The reading is from Acts 8:14-40.

Simon tries to buy the Holy Spirit from Peter and John. Doesn't go so well for him, and he gets "simony" named after him, the practice of selling religious items or privileges for profit.

And it reminds us that the best things in life - the things that really matter - are not things you can buy with money. In fact, many of them are HARDER to get when you have money. Peace, trust, love, kindness...  all of these things are more difficult to get when you have tons of money.

Not to mention the Holy Spirit. If Jesus and St Francis of Assisi taught us anything regarding money, it's that having less of it is better for your spiritual life, and having more of it is dangerous. It's not impossible to be rich and be spiritually healthy, but it's akin to camels going through needles. With God all things are possible, but we shouldn't make it harder for ourselves than it has to be.

God, thanks for teaching us the value of money.