The Greek Islands

Read Time - 2 minutes

My senses can still re-live the vacation: the white-washed buildings with blue-domed roofs, the invigorating ocean-smelling breeze, and the tasty Greek salads with age-cured feta cheese.  My wife and I were living in Europe at the time, and we flew to the Greek islands for Spring-break.  It was before we had children, so the two of us took advantage of everything the islands offered.  The combination of the laid-back island culture, the local Mediterranean cuisine, and the rocky cliffs that interrupted the sea, all added up to an exceptional vacation.  

I have many fond memories of the vacation.  And, in some ways, it is appropriate that I remember the trip, because Scripture reminds us to dwell on things that are excellent.  “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

However, our practice of dwelling on laudable thoughts should extend to more than just remembering island vacations, it should influence a myriad of other areas of our lives.  Since finances plays a permeating role in our lives, Christ often used financial illustrations to reveal spiritual truths.  For example, when teaching on the cost of being a disciple, Christ related it to evaluating the cost of building a tower (Luke 14:25-30).  Just as building a tower was an investment of resources, Jesus was emphasizing that we must make an investment to follow Him.

As part of following Him, let us consider praise-worthy financial investments.  This could include investing in businesses whose products bring value to society (think cancer research compared to tobacco production), whose environmental actions leave a better planet for our grandchildren, and whose quality of working conditions would make us happy to have our sons or daughters work there.  Let us think about such things.

Doug Hanson, MBA

Wealth Advisor