Mike Bloomberg dropped out of the presidential race not too long ago. Mr. Bloomberg tried to use his wealth to advertise his way to the Democratic Nomination for President.
But Mike discovered there are some things money can’t buy.
Mr. Bloomberg is a billionaire. I applaud that. But even money has limitations.
Mike Bloomberg’s landslide of campaign cash didn’t lead to a landslide of votes — but boy did he spend big. The New York billionaire laid out roughly $550 million in just over three months of campaigning, all to get a paltry 44 delegates — barely a tenth of what Democratic primary front-runner Joe Biden got. That record total equals roughly $4.8 million per delegate. If he spent at that rate for all the 1,991 delegates needed to secure the Democratic nomination, it would have cost him $9.5 billion to face President Trump.
Bloomberg spent a mind-boggling $5.4 million a day.
Let’s credit Mr. Bloomberg for his creativity. His decision to enter the race on Super Tuesday was innovative, but not effective.
Money can buy some votes, but not enough to win an election.
There are more things money can’t buy:
1. Time
Money cannot buy more time. Time flies at the same pace for all of us.
Time is a resource. We can use our time strategically. We exchange time to add value and meaning to life.
The only way to expand time is to use it for great causes.
We can buy a day off, but we cannot expand the 24 hours.
2. Salvation
Salvation is a gift of God, and it is free. We cannot buy salvation or earn it.
God’s gifts are not for sale.
Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they came down, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for still He had come on none of them. They were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter said to him, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could purchase the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor share in this matter, for your heart is not right before God (Acts 8:14-21).
Simon did not understand God.
God does not sell His gifts or reward good behavior with an entrance to heaven.
Saved People Go to Heaven
Some believe that good people go to heaven. But that’s not true. Only saved people go to heaven. Being saved makes you a better person, but not a good person.
The Bible says, “There is no one who does good, no, not one” (Rom. 3:12).
We must abandon the idea that good works or money can buy us a mansion in heaven.
3. True Love
Money can buy an escort, lust and sex—but it can’t buy true love.
True love is sacred. It is also mysterious. Love is a commitment. And yes, you can feel love. The feeling of love is a soul and spirit connection between two people. This divine connection is something money can never purchase.
Money cannot buy love, and love cannot buy money, but money increases the chances of love, and love decreases the need for money.
Where love is genuine, it is not based on wealth. True love can survive with money or without money.
A love relationship built around wealth will collapse when the money runs out.
Let’s be honest, it’s easier to fall in love with a person of wealth. A mate with wealth can make life easier. Let’s admit that true love can evolve from the decision to marry a person flowing in cash.
But that does not equate to buying love.
4. Real Friends
Great friends are priceless.
Money can attract people as friends, but it doesn’t guarantee true friendship.
According to a study published in the American Sociological Review, most people in the U.S. have only one close friend.
And 25% of people have no friends. Heartbreaking for sure.
Thomas Aquila said:
“There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.”
So true.
5. Gratitude
Would gratitude be genuine if someone paid you to be thankful? No.
What if you rewarded yourself for exemplifying gratefulness? Still not genuine.
What if you tried to purchase gratitude? Nope, that won’t work.
Gratitude is like a superpower to the soul. Gratitude also helps people sleep better, boosts psychological well-being and improves relationships.
If gratitude could be purchased, it would be a worthy investment.
Dan Asmussen shared this story on Facebook:
One day a very wealthy father took his son on a trip to the country for the sole purpose of showing his son how it was to be poor. They spent a few days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
After their return from the trip, the father asked his son how he liked the trip. “It was great, Dad,” the son replied. “Did you see how poor people can be?” the father asked. “Oh yeah,” said the son.
“So what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father. The son answered, “I saw that we have one dog, and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden, and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
“We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
“We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.” The boy’s father was speechless.
Then his son added, “It showed me just how poor we are.”
Money can buy things that make us happy. But happiness wrapped up in things is only temporary.
Temporary and Permanent Things
Love is permanent.
Salvation is permanent.
Real friends are permanent.
And being grateful is permanent.
“While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18).
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