A Troublesome Situation

Some people make me angry. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, I can get irate. For example, when someone leaves $12 million to a spoiled dog. And I'm not pulling an ad hominem. This particular recipient is actually a canine.

Let me explain. A couple of weeks ago, a famous New York real estate owner, billionaire Leona Helmsley, died. She was one of the richest people in the world (369th to be exact, according to Forbes). From what I understand, this lady was a ruthless businessperson. In fact, the US media called her "The Queen of Mean." I'm not sure whether to agree or not, but given that she left more money for her dog than for any of her family, I think I'd agree. Albeit most of her fortune went toward charity. But maybe that's because she had no friends in life. Her dog, Trouble, was likely Helmsley's best friend.

Helmsley liked to call her dog "Princess." Trouble would eat gourmet human food, but only if it were hand-fed. The little pooch had a tenatious side--and would bite anyone it pleased, except for its master. Helmsley often found her dog's biting to be entertaining. An article in the New York Post, by Dareh Gregorian says that "many of those who had encounters with the dog over the years said she took after her infamous owner--demanding and mean." And the $12 million trust proves that the 8 year old Maltese was obsessed over.

Further, in the will, Helmsley's brother was only given $10 million. Two of her four grandchildren were given $5 million each; the other two received nothing for reasons that weren't explained in the will. But who in their right mind would spend $12 million on a D-O-G??

I don't know much more about Helmsley's life. Yet where she put her money tells me that she does not value family. And it tells me that she must not have had many friends. In fact, she probably had no REAL friends. And instead of making me mad, that saddens me.

It saddens me that someone would live their life, not growing in friendship and love with other human beings. It saddens me that someone would be so self-centered as to spend their life and resources like Helmsley did. It saddens me that Helmsley left this earth thinking more about her dog and what would happen to it than about her own soul and the souls of others.

True, I cannot discern her heart. But this kind of selfishness is saddening just because it is so prevalent. It points to a world that is broken and shattered. It reminds me of a world that is pursuing its own pleasures, seeking for fulfillment and running from the very Person who could make their lives complete. It reminds me of the Fall. And that reminds me that I too am a sinner.

I may not have $12 million dollars to put in my will when I die. I may not have $330 million that I won from the Mega Millions Lottery like just happened. I don't have ANY money when I am weighed on scales of that size. But I do have a couple of things that are worth far more than what Helmsley has.

I have TIME. She doesn't. Her clock expired at 89 years. I still have (if it is the Lord's will) many healthy years to go. As Professor Fotopulos said in my business class last week, time is our most valuable resource. And when it is spent, we can NEVER get it back.

And I have JESUS. Again, I don't know her heart, but given how she lived, I think I judge correctly in my statement. I am reminded of the old song: "I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold, I'd rather be His than have riches untold. I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land, I'd rather be lead by His nail-pierced hand...Than to be the king of a vast domain, or be held in sin's dread sway. I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world offers today."

When I consider what I do have, I am not so angry that a dog inherits $12 million and I have never inherited a cent. Instead, I count my blessings and praise God because of the life that I have, the time he has given me, and the relationship I have with Him and with others. Solomon said it best. Meaningless, meaningless are riches for a life that is not fearing God and obeying His commandments. Part of me pities Helmsley and the soulless creature Trouble. I have the meaning than they could never experience. To fear, love, and serve Jesus is the ultimate pleasure in life.

Taking every thought captive,

Zachary