Did the title capture your attention? I bet so, especially considering these different economic times.  This is not the latest “how to get rich” farming trick. We are not selling Emus, buffalos or ethanol. We not trying to convince you to invest in our farm with the guarantee of up to 100% interest in six months; but all donations will be accepted. If you notice, we did not state how to get rich, but how to be rich.  There is a vast difference.  Most people do not consider themselves to be rich.  However, compared to most of the world's population we are.  Find this difficult to believe us as you stare at the mound of bills piling up on your desk.  Just check out this website www.globalrichlist.com . You can enter your salary and it compares it to average salaries earned around the world.   Still not convinced because your car, dishwasher, washing machine, computer or what ever needs repairing and you don't have the money. Well folks, those are rich people's problems. Most everyone living in the world today does not even own any of those items and never will. The fact is, because we were blessed enough to be born in America we are more privileged than most people who have ever lived. By the simple fact you are reading this article you are more educated than most of the earth's population.

We have never really considered ourselves "rich".  But we are trying to change our mindset.  We recently went through a series of messages at our church entitled, "How to be Rich."  It really challenged our current way of thinking to recognize that we are truly rich and blessed far beyond what we deserve.  Do we have all we want?  No, but we have more than we could ever need or deserve. This realization set our minds to racing, how are we rich?  We have our health, family, friends, food, housing, clothing, car, electricity and even water.  These may sound like simple items that we often take for granted.  Yet a large percentage of the world does without what we consider to be basic necessities.  Our hope for this column and goal for this Christmas season is to help remind not only ourselves, but you too, to focus on all that we have, not on those items we have not.

Because all of us have so much, much is required of us.  We strive to teach our children by example to give to others; sharing not only our money, but time and talents as well.  Because we farm, God has given us a unique opportunity to be able to help.  During this month, we are donating 5% of our sales to support animal projects through Samaritan's Purse.  The money families receive through this organization will allow them to purchase chickens and other farm animals. These will not only allow them to feed their family a healthy diet, but it will also allow them to earn extra income to support their families. In addition, we will make a donation of 5% to help provide food for families' right here in Kershaw County through Corporative Food Ministries. Our small group from church is going to provide food for the Christmas meal prepared by Smokin and Grillin. We do not mention all these opportunities to say look at us, at what we're doing. But rather to challenge you to change your mindset to believing you are already rich.  Because we are so rich, let's share with others as we celebrate the true spirit of Christmas. May you and your family have a blessed holiday season.