The Better Way!

I just read a story that got me slightly peeved. No, better said, A LOT PEEVED! It concerns Washington Mutual's (a.k.a. WaMu)new CEO, Alan Fishman. Now if you have been following the news, then you will know that WaMu has the distinction of being the largest bank to fail in U.S. history (at least to date!). Now listen to the following information that I just read on the Internet:

"After just 432 hours on the job -- during which time he presided over the complete collapse of the company -- Fishman stands to collect more than $19 million in pay.

That's right: $19 million for 18 days work, or an annualized rate of $385 million. $1.05 million per day. $44,000 per hour. More money than most people will make in several lifetimes, all to watch one of America's largest banks spiral into failure" (from article titled, WaMu Richly Rewards CEO Failure, posted on www.fool.com).

So how does that make you feel? A bit peeved? All I can say is that this situation exposes a big part of the reason we are facing the economic crisis that we are facing today. And it is not just greed on the corporate level (although that is a significant factor). It is greed on every level. All of us can be tempted toward greed. As followers of Christ we must learn to put off greed and put on contentment in its place. Paul the apostle puts it this way:

"But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness" (i Timothy 6:6-11).

So let's flee from the "love of money" and pursue the virtues mentioned by Paul. And as we do, let's purpose to be CONTENT! It is the BETTER way!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj