I read somewhere about how we as a culture can easily switch from being thankful one day to being completely crazed shopaholic consumers the next.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for buying stuff. I sure buy enough stuff.

I just hope we don’t have short memories when it comes to gratitude.

There are a lot of people in the world who would love to have what you have, who are praying for the very things you and I take for granted.

The best way to not get caught up in the rat race of keeping up with the proverbial Joneses and amassing huge debt is gratitude. To say, “What I have is enough,” is just about the most radical, counter-cultural statement you can make these days.

But remember that compared to the majority of the world, you are wealthy. If you had more than one square meal today, a solid roof over your head, more clothes than the ones you’re wearing, and access to clean water, you are rich.

Think about that the next time you get the urge to complain or compare. We as working Americans may feel like the 99%, but globally speaking, we’re much closer to the 1%. So many go without even the most basic necessities while we gripe about not having enough toys or perks.

Remember who it all belongs to anyway. When you die, all you take with you is the love you shared with family and friends, the hope you shared in helping others find their way to Jesus, and the legacy of what you’ve given away in terms of time, talents, and treasures.