College is a haven for “poor people.” A place where it seems like every student is poor, scraping for money in any way possible and always pinching pennies. As college students, we oftentimes live our lives frugally as we are always feeling the pains of our empty wallets. We make endless calls to home asking for just a few more bucks in our bank accounts as we eye shiny things in our Amazon cart. When a friend asks us if we want to go out to dinner for the night we most likely respond with “I can’t, I’m too poor.”

I have recently found myself disgusted with the way I idolize money in my life. I think that the more money I have in my wallet, the better my life will be. I get depressed when I spend too much one week and end up broke the next week. I research products as if they were the cure for every ailment in my life and buy new things as if they could be patches over my hidden insecurities. The money I get from paychecks makes me feel good inside as it is placed into my wallet or bank account as if it had super healing power or something like that.

When I am back at college and out of work, the lack of money in my wallet makes me feel as if my life has lessened in quality. Without the constant flow of money from a paycheck, it's as if my life has lost value. WHICH IS RIDICULOUS! I have only recently realized that money is only a small part of what makes up the value of our lives. When we say we are “poor” we are only kidding ourselves. We are never poor of anything besides physical dollars in our wallets. Our lives are rich with so much more than just money. My life should not revolve around money, but it should by the people I am so blessed to be surrounded by, the experiences I have had, and the things I have learned. Compared to the priceless wonders and countless beauties of this world, money is one of the most worthless valuables we work for. We say that we are “poor” as if it affects our life experience, as if it changes who we are. But money itself is simply a piece of paper meant to put worthless value on things — its biggest victim: people.

So this summer, I’m going to stop saying I’m “poor” when I feel as if I do not have as much as others have. Because in reality, I am rich and always will be. Rich with love and joy, rich with passion and intelligence, rich with experiences of the sights and sounds of this vast world. I have so much to be thankful for, things that I cannot hold in my hands. While many may be poor in money, nobody is poor in life, for our great and gracious Lord blesses us all with his glory every single day.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. — Philippians 4:11-13