This Culture

The Wichita River Festival is nigh upon us. In just a day or so downtown will be crammed with people, cars, and all that goes with such an event. It’s akin to the State Fair, it seems, with a nine day run and a heavy emphasis on separating folks from their money in some way, shape, or form.
That’s OK, though. We should be used to that by now. Our culture is one where the best and brightest are the ones who have perfected the knack of separating people from their money. We reward them with even more money, fame and notoriety. Us poor schmucks that allow them to do that to us, on the other hand, seem content to wallow in the bowels of anonymity and relative poverty, while continuing to hand over precious resources in exchange for such as a few miles traveled in a car (gasoline), beer, a latte, or a design on a pair of shoes.
Maybe I’m getting cynical in my old age. Maybe this is the way it’s supposed to be. But I can’t help but think of the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew, chapter 6) that talks of either serving God or serving mammon (money). He says we can’t do both, and that if we are money-servers, we also are of those who worry about what we will eat, wear, etc. He plainly says to not do that.
I have to wonder how I am faring in this world and culture.