Am I Poor?
May 07, 2026
There’s an old story about a man who cried because he had no shoes… until he met a man with no feet.
That story hits differently the older I get.
Life is relative. Money is relative. Success is relative. Even our complaints are often relative.
How many times have we said, “I’m starving!” after missing lunch?
Of course, we don’t mean harm by it. It’s just language.
But imagine saying that to someone in a war-torn country waiting for a helicopter to drop rice and beans — someone who hasn’t eaten in three days because they couldn’t reach the front of the line.
Maybe you’re thinking, “Wow Dave, this is depressing.”
Actually, this is about appreciation.
About “feet.”
About all the things we take for granted every single day.
Globally, over 2 billion people still do not have access to safely managed drinking water.
Billions lack proper sanitation or hygiene.
Hundreds of millions still live without reliable electricity.
Think about that.
Clean water.
A toilet.
A bed.
Air conditioning.
A refrigerator.
A vehicle.
Gasoline.
A roof that doesn’t leak.
Many people reading this have all of those things and still feel poor.
Why?
Because comparison is usually local, not global.
You can live in a beautiful neighborhood and still feel “behind” because your car isn’t as new, your lawn isn’t as perfect, your vacations aren’t as luxurious, or your bank account doesn’t match the people around you.
And once that mindset takes root — consciously or subconsciously — life quietly becomes about catching up.
This is the trap.
Our greatest strengths, talents, creativity, and energy get redirected toward keeping pace instead of lifting people up.
The treadmill never stops.
One promotion leads to another chase.
One purchase creates another desire.
One level of success suddenly feels ordinary.
And underneath it all is one of Satan’s oldest attacks:
“You are not enough.”
“You do not have enough.”
But there are millions of materially poor and underserved people around the world who would gladly trade places with us — not just for our possessions, but for our opportunities, relationships, freedom, education, health care, and stability.
And strangely enough, the people who often seem richest in spirit are not always the ones with the most stuff.
Jesus talked about true riches very differently than we do.
Richness in the Kingdom of God is measured by generosity, compassion, service, love, mercy, faithfulness, and using what you have to bless others.
What never fails to make a person rich is serving.
Using your gifts.
Using your passions.
Using your life to build others up instead of endlessly trying to catch up.
That kind of richness cannot be bought, compared, or taken away.
Coming soon - tools to help you use your gifts to love, help and serve others!
Much love,
Dave
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