I don't think it's necessarily accurate to say everyone will be "well off" later on if they give it time. Some people choose to enter professions where earning more and "working up" are not a part of life, such as teachers, volunteer ministry to others, etc. My dad purposefully left a job as a research scientist to become a teacher at a job where his pay went substantially down to the point where he couldn't afford much (including a much-needed car and clothing for his family). He did this because he wanted to have a job where he would help people during their formative years, and not have a goal to make a lot of money. While he has long since gotten a better-paying job, his first move was a major sacrifice where he went from so-called "well-off" to "poor." Ironically, during the time my dad had his job and we were poor, we found people more poor than we were and tried to minister to them. There's always someone worse off than you; you can always help others, and it means so much more than making a lot of money! There are all kinds of riches . . . money is just one.

I think it's wonderful when people choose careers where money is something that is not the object. I've had a couple friends enter longterm overseas ministry, which basically means a life of poverty and sacrifice (leaving family, etc.) in order to benefit others. To me, there can't be anything more honorable than that.

Sorry to wax philosophical, but there's so much more to life than how much money you have! [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ January 04, 2006 02:16 PM: Message edited by: Melissa ]</font>