Wanted: Greedy Gretta

Greedy Gretta is wanted for seducing people into a meaningless lifestyle of selfishness and pettiness. Gretta seduces her victims with promises of happiness and fulfillment, then milks them for everything they have.

Material prosperity is so widespread in America today that it is almost taken for granted. Most teenagers are buying computers, stereo systems, and gadgets that are more sophisticated and expensive than I can afford with a full-time job. Most teenagers drive to school in cars that they own, usually thanks to the financial help of their parents. More and more teenagers are working part-time jobs. The result of all of this is that their expectations for material success are greatly elevated. While there is nothing wrong with material success, the Bible warns us, "If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1John 2:15).
Material success is actually a good that Catholic social teaching encourages. Those with material prosperity are better able to do good in the world, to share their wealth with the poor. Financial success allows people to create jobs and fund social and technical advances. What God does not want of us is to make money and material objects our main priority, our god.

The trouble is that most teenagers have learned that material luxury is part of the American dream. The main criteria for career seems to be salary, sometimes even before career fulfillment. The first question teenagers should ask themselves is how they are being called to serve Christ and His Church. Unfortunately, this is often the last question asked. Most teenagers assume that serving God is something to be done in our free time. Career is for making money. Once this attitude is firmly implanted, a world of divided loyalties lies close behind. Religion is relegated to church and God has no place in daily life. Furthermore, teenagers learn to live self-serving lives and become petty and greedy. Is it any wonder that young people are not answering God's call to the priesthood and religious life?

It is important to teach children balance when it comes to the love of any created good. The habit of using money for the good of God's kingdom forms early, with young children's allowances. Teaching children that they each have a unique vocation, whether they are called to consecrated, ordained, or lay life, sets them up with clear criteria for choosing a career. Following God's plan for our lives is a sure way to fulfillment. Enjoying material prosperity may or may not be part of that vocation. If it is, money and material possessions will not rule, but will be used as part of service to God. If material prosperity is not part of that vocation, the lack of money will not mean lack of happiness. The focus will be on serving God in whatever condition we are in. When we give ourselves to God in this way, we are able to dedicate ourselves to a higher calling. We lose ourselves in service to others, to THE Other, and are free to truly find ourselves as children of God. Isn't that what we want for our children? Allowing them to become materialistic will condemn them to lives of dissatisfaction and petty selfishness.

Greedy Gretta is not to be trusted. She will steal your true happiness and try to replace it with inferior sources of happiness that cannot satisfy. Fortify yourself against her swindles with clear priorities and strong hope in God's promises for true and lasting happiness.