Wealth – How do we spend it?

I suppose I am like many people, concerned about the misuse of the wealth of the world.

We can target the rich countries of the world and how they share or don’t share their wealth.

It’s very easy to have strong views when we criticise in a general way.

It can be a different story when we ask the question of ourselves and how we distribute our wealth.

If we compare it to where we live, the suburb, our neighbours house maybe we are not.

But if we step outside our area, our comfort zone it will be very different, third world countries.

We are a lucky country, we have a very comfortable living – we are rich.  But are we prepared to share any of our good fortune?  Again some will say, “I have worked hard to achieve what I have.’

While this true it is only achieved by the opportunities given to people by others and our lucky country.  What if any of us was born in Uganda?

I write this article firstly because it concerns me and secondly because of what I heard on the news recently.

It just reinforced my concerns.  The news report was talking about the amount of money Australians spend on their pets each year.

I think they said over $700 million.

I just felt sick and embarrassed that we could do that.

I know many will not agree with me but how can we equate money spent on pets against what is happening in our world to our fellow human beings.

When it comes to firstly – having pets and then how we have concern for the cost to keep them or keep them alive.

I noticed in the paper today an advertisement saying that dental care for your dog can start as low as $260 as if money was no object when for your pet.

I know people become very attached to their pets and they are great company – nursing home have shown us that.

I know of situations where people have spent $2000 – $3000 on their pet but only for it to live another couple of years.

I become embarrassed and annoyed when I see one whole aisle in a supermarket displaying pet food.

We must be rich if we can keep all these pet food companies in business.

They say that the signs of a weakening economy are felt in sales of pet food and animals being abandoned or left at Lort Smith or R.S.P.C.A.

The Human Right to Water & Sanitation was recognised by the United Nations on 28th July 2010.

The sad reality is that hundreds of millions of people around the world, especially women and children lack access to safe drinking water.

Here are some of the latest statistics:

  1. Some 844 million people live each day without access to safe drinking water, including 159 million people who are dependent on surface water.
  2. Approximately two billion people use a drinking water source contaminated with faeces.
  3. At least 2.3 million people live daily without access to improved sanitation.
  4. Women and girls in many countries spend up to six hours a day collecting water for the family and animals.
  5. Over one million people die each year from poor sanitation and hygiene.
  6. A child dies every 90 seconds from a water-related disease.

There are other statistics other than water sanitation that are about poverty which is affecting children.

  1. Of the 1.9 billion children in the world, more than half live in sub-standards conditions.
  2. It is estimated that 385 million children are living in extremely poor households.
  3. It is estimated that 19.5% of the world’s children live in extreme poverty compared to just 9.2% of adults. Children, therefore, represent half of the poor yet are just one third of the underlying population.

I suppose if we wish to ignore and live with tunnel vision we can go on not being concerned about others in our world.

If we wish to have pets how much of that $700 million would we cut back on?

The cost of food, hundreds spent on pure breeds why not half breeds.

Many won’t like what I am saying here but while I read statistics as those above, I cannot accept the lavish expenditure on pets.

If money can be spent on pets then surely money can be given to help the quality of life of other people who haven’t been given the same opportunities as ourselves – let’s give them some dignity and life.

We can never say we deserve what we have as all things are a gift from God – freely given.

But at least we can enjoy this gift because we are sharing it with others.

 

Fr Michael Morley

 

Parish Priest

Sacred Heart Tatura

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