Where you treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Can I quote you on that?

There may be more than just distraction or prioritization at work here. Development tends to rely on and support rationalism. I tend to think profound faith and deep reason are very compatible but the cheapest forms of both are anathema.

The decline of the Eastern Orthodox Church in its heartland is well-documented.
But why would Kenya and India be on the “much lower” religious scale? Globalization in India, maybe … but KENYA?

You cannot serve two masters; for you will love the one and hate the other. Choose ye this day whom ye shall serve, as for me and my house, we shall serve The Lord….
“If thine eye be single, thine whole body is full of light..”-Matthew
“For what does it profit a man, to gain the world and lose his own soul?”

Damn, I just figured out again – for about the 4 millionth time – that my heart’s material desire – the great kitchen with stainless steel appliances and lovely pots and pans is my very own golden calf. I used to spend hours planning for the day when the kids would be out of college, the medical bills paid at last, I’d have bought the skinny wardrobe having lost that 40 pounds of baby weight (baby is 22 years old) and at last – the kitchen of my dreams and martha Stewart’s imagination would be mine. It will never be mine – alas – never. Our money has decreased, we don’t cook much, and I would rather give it away – sometimes. the dream kitchen represents something given up in the desert of my life. I taught the temptations in the desert this week – the kitchen is certainly the thing the devil keeps in front of my little desiring brain. But, I do have some great recipes and a table where 12 people can sit around and eat whatever the crock pot is able to produce. The kitchen means less and less. Still want that sucker, but don’t want it enough to serve that master. Need to pray for temperance on this one. I could fall in the other direction with just a tiny push.

“The United States is the exception to this rule.”
Are you sure? Don’t we just make a bigger deal out of being “religious” while all the time, our money values
truely sets our course, and priorities?
Saying you “believe” in “God” and believing in God,
(or having any true “God” knowledge) are two different
things.
Poor people (irregardless of which country they live in)
have a greater need of God. Therefore the true God, is
often found with them.

Race and economic status also have a strong correlation to religiosity. This may explain why ethnic minorities in the United States, who are often discriminated against, are underemployed, and who suffer other disparate treatment and experiences than their white counterparts, believe more in God than they believe in a system of government within a society of wealthy nonbelievers.

I lost my job in Jan 2007, just replaced it at a much lower income (but have replaced my medical insurance), and was forced to spend all my savings and file bankruptcy. I prayed about my situation everyday. I have come to realize that God provides my needs, regardless of how much “money” I have. I continue to attend Mass and pray for those who are less fortunate than I. I give less monetary things (and more personal attention) to my family now, and I have to wonder, Is this a lesson about Love God is teaching me, and that he will provide if I follow Him?

The bible says it is God who gives power to get wealth. Many times people forget that they need him to sustain them and their riches. A person can be rich today and need no one but when tragedy strikes God is the first name they call. Oh my God! to be more precise when the money is gone and the friends are few and far between, they realize I should have done this or i should have done that . The choice between God and money is actually a no-brainer. God is eternal. Money is not.
God is intangible. yet, you can feel him when you open up your heart. You can see him when you look around at all of his marvelous creations. Choose God over money, because when you die, and we all will, it will be nice to know we still live because he Lives.

Does it mean that because I have little money (just barely making a living) I am more favorable in God’s eye ?

it is god that gives us the power to gain wealth.all thinngs in heaven and earth belongs to him,and he also so say give and it will be given back a good measure press down,shaken togather shall i give to you,cast thy bread amongst the waters and it sahll come back.one have lefted mother ,nor brother,nor house for me,but will gain a hundredfull return,what ever you invest in gods kingdom it will be returned with intrest.

dear saul,god did not mean for you to be poor for he said dearly beloved i wish upon all things that you prosper,and be in good health.aslo look at lukes 6:38.he also so said to my good servent sinec i can trust you with a little,then much shall you have.jesus became sin(sickness,proverty,and all pains of life)for you on the cross.seek ye the knigdom of god and all these thinks shall be granted,what things do you think hes is talking about,money,health,happines,joy.

Solomon was rich, Job was rich. Jesus said, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and He will give you everything. What father or mother seeing that their children are in need would refuse them. Much more God, whose are Father.