I’ve heard Oscar Wilde’s quote before.
The real question is: How would I answer the question?
Have I put my bank balance above an intangible but oh-so-powerful emotion?
Have I squandered the feelings of another … or underestimated the value of loving someone?
The real question for today is this one: Who are you going to make wealthy today … by loving them?
In Others’ Words: Who makes you feel rich by loving in you in a true, honest way?
Love someone & increase their “wealth” Click to Tweet
1 way to make someone feel rich today Click to Tweet
Comments 17
The tempting example to use is of course my wife, but marriage is nothing if it’s not complicated. There are times I have felt rich beyond measure; there were times I did not.
Did not ‘feel that way’, I mean. I still was; the love was still there, but blinders in my own heart prevented me from seeing it.. Generally, they were blinders of pride or some form of acquisitiveness – “I want THIS’, whether it be a physical object, or (more often) a reciprocated feeling from my wife.
It makes love seem conditional, even when it’s mostly not (and all human love is ultimately conditional, whether we want to admit it or not!).
The closest thing we can find to unconditional love in this world comes from dogs, and in their love, yes, I do feel consistently rich.
Author
Great insights as always, Andrew. The biggest challenge I face is removing “un” from “conditional” when I love someone. And removing the blinders from my heart so I can see how someone is loving me when I don’t feel it.
My parents and grandparents, hands down. I’ve always known they loved me…but working where I do now, I’m aware in a different kind of way of what a massive blessing it is to have that unwavering, best-kind-of-wealth producing love.
Author
You come from a “wealthy” family, Melissa.
🙂
In church Sun. I was inspired to start speaking to my grandchildren of the treasures they are to me to counteract some negative terms I’ve heard their way. So, after discussion, from oldest to youngest, they are “Diamonds,” “gold,” and “the innermost core of a very old valuable meteor.” Yep, those are my treasures and I delight to make them know my love, as God finds many surprising ways to reaffirm His.
Author
A speaking invaluable truth out loud so it will settle into their hearts and make a huge, life affirming difference to them … Wonderful, Dee. Wonderful.
Friends. And family. And my cat Suzy. Especially my cat Suzy, because I had a cat I rescued from certain death and truly loved but he never loved me. Don’t know why. But Suzy does. She shows me how much every morning at 6 when she sits on my chest and purrs.
Author
But you loved that cat-you-were-not-keeping anyway, Pat. And now you have Suzy, who reciprocates.
😉
Have I squandered the feelings of another … or underestimated the value of loving someone?
That stopped me! I’m still chewing on it. Not sure how I’d answer for certain people in my life. Have a feeling this one’s sticking with me all day.
Author
Yeah, believe me, that one’s stuck with me since I typed it, Susan.
Great post, Beth. Your quote, “Have I squandered the feelings of another … or underestimated the value of loving someone?” challenged me. There have been times when I have expected love to look a certain way before I classified it as “love.” In truth, my expectations were almost without fail, out of line. I’m learning love wears many garments but it is still love.
My husband, my kids, my parents and sisters and some good friends make me wealthy with their love.
Great post!
Author
” … love wears many garments but it is still love.”
Golden truth there, Jeanne.
Pretty sure I need this quote posted somewhere in my house. Love is my 401k. So blessed. And more so because the Lord let us meet our new grandson yesterday. 9 lbs 8oz. Sheesh! And he is already been made rich with kisses.
I must say I loved the question: Who are you going to make wealthy today…by loving them? ^_^
Author
Oh, Bernadette: Congratulations to the new little “deposit” to your family bank account!
<3 🙂
Beth, such a sweet, simple little post. So precious!
Today, I gave a bookmark and my business card (with my blog info) to a waitress who was having a rough afternoon. It always makes me smile to bring a little cheer to people who are having difficult days. I’ve been there enough times myself to know a friendly face and a little brotherly/sisterly love can go a long way to lifting one’s spirits.
Blessings,
Andrea
I just read a story in Readers Digest where the author said that Oskar Schindler (of Schindler’s List) was an awful businessman. Yet, he is famous for his sacrificial love. How many of those that we see in the tabloids have the same reputation? None, but they are wealthy according to the worlds standards.
I admit, I have worried too much about money to the detriment of another: my husband. He’d do anything within his power to make me happy. That’s all the riches I need here on Earth. And my Father will supply all the riches I need in glory.
I spent the day with my daughter and granddaughter, so I guess you know my answer.