I know – a strange title for a financial blog! But let me explain with a recent event in my life. The other day my wife and I were on our way to pick out a new microwave oven since our current one died- part of our well pump dying, water heater dying, water treatment system not functioning, window leaking month of January!
On our way to the store, a local policeman pulled us over. It seems that our car inspection was over due (our state has annual inspections). Now, it was not over due by a few weeks or even a month. No, our inspection was over due by six months! Naturally, the nice man in the uniform gave us a citation and a fine which came out to about $105.
We felt defeated, we felt foolish, and we felt $100 more broke! Depressing. So we decided to tell people about our oversight. My wife went on facebook and soon all our friends new. I told people at work and at our church.
Now I have to admit that for an administrative person like myself this was all pretty humbling. I am pretty organized (except for tools!) and I like to pinch pennies. BUt it was good to let people know our mistake. So many people encouraged us by telling us stories of how they too have forgotten their annual inspection or some other thing in their life. It was good to know that we were not the only ones! Plus some of the stories were hilarious and it put us in a better mood.Also, it was good because a few people then remembered to check their inspection stickers – so maybe we helped someone else.
So confession is good. Whatever mistakes we make in life, whether financial or some other kind, it can be helpful to us to let others know. We may receive encouragement, advice, or just a listening and caring ear. We may even help someone else. Isn’t that what experience is, learning from our mistakes and then helping others?
So, next time a little mistake in your life happens, don’t be afraid to share it with others (in an appropriate setting and manner of course). It just might help you and it just might help others!
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Sunday Thought 73
by JD on February 7, 2010
As I sat down and worked on my taxes this past Friday evening, I must admit I grumbled and complained. But then I read this story and was thankful that I don’t have to pay a “church tax”!:
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes – from their own sons or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth, and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
Jesus did not need to pay the temple tax – he was the son of God. But he chose to pay it so he would not offend. Jesus will talk about this again in Matthew 22:21 – ”Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
I guess if Jesus can pay taxes then so can I!
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