Conflict between two paths

[jisaiah6113]

I'm a bachelor in my mid 30's and I haven't experienced much financial success in life. That is about to change at least moderately, Lord willing, if I finish my master degree in a well paying field at a prestigious university in the nation's capital. I've been admitted to the program and I'm working full-time to support myself while going through the program. I actually work at the university for this reason, because I'm getting free tuition.

The field I'm going into is a very bread and butter style career. Nothing too exciting but it will certainly pay the bills. I'm really excited about theology and academia but considering I've been broke most of my life, I'm not really excited about making $35,000 to $40,000 a year teaching theology after several more years of academic preparation and living on noodles.

When I say "broke", I mean I just pay rent, tithe, bills, and food and don't have much left over to enjoy life with. But I am meeting my needs and thus I am being honorable without having to depend on others, which Paul says is essential in our gospel witness (see the Thessalonian letters).

Is it normal to be able to want to have your cake and eat it too in this case, but not be able to? Of course I want the fulfillment of a calling right away, doing something I feel I enjoy, but I hate being broke, enough to where I would put off theology for 10 years or so just to enjoy having at least $500 a month to "play with" as a single person and maybe $500 more a month to save AFTER tithing and meeting my needs. I can see this can be viewed as idolatry and "loving the world" but I have to say, earning 25k net in a major metropolitan area in the United States is not fun. I don't have kids and I've never been married, nor do I plan to be. Thanks!

 

[ripple the car]

I pay my bills, and have a little left over, and that's it. I won't lie, I do sometimes see the things other people get to do and envy them. But that's not the right attitude. I have a home, a car, a husband, faith in Christ, and semi-ok health. That's pretty awesome. I'm already rich. I just don't realize it sometimes.

 

[Quietus]

I'm a bachelor in my mid 30's and I haven't experienced much financial success in life.... I don't have kids and I've never been married. Thanks!

In all seriousness, have you ever considered just joining a monastery? If you have no student loans or other financial debt, you’d probably find more fulfillment with that than teaching theology. Just a thought.

 

[athenken]

It is a bit trepidatious to suddenly have the prospect of having additional funds to work within your budget, but remember to be faithful to your budget, continue to tithe and ask God's direction on decisions concerning money. Do not allow money to direct your thinking. As long as you remain disciplined and don't fall into the credit trap you should be fine.

 

[mama2one]

company moved husband easily when he was single

now's your chance to move while single
(once you finish education)

you'll be able to save money living in a less expensive state & possibly meet your spouse if you want to marry

 

[jisaiah6113]

In all seriousness, have you ever considered just joining a monastery? If you have no student loans or other financial debt, you’d probably find more fulfillment with that than teaching theology. Just a thought.

Haha. You must be clairvoyant. Just kidding.

Yes, before thinking of academia, my primary passion was to be a monk. I learned in my undergrad days that the first academics were monks (scribes and copiers of holy books) so academia and monastic life aren't entirely foreign to each other.

Academia requires years of grueling preparation and no guarantee of a fulfilling life. Monasticism also requires years of preparation and no guarantee of a fulfilling life. However, monasticism seems easier to pursue than academia. My main concern with monasticism is leaving behind all the comforts of modern society. However, the spiritual benefit would probably outweigh the craving for the world's goods.

 

[mama2one]

.

 

[jisaiah6113]

before husband met me, his job transferred him twice to different states & then he was tranferred 3rd time to where he met me

company moved him easily since he was single

now's your chance to move while single
(once you finish education)

you'll be able to save money living in a less expensive state & possibly meet your spouse if you want to marry

There's a part of me that's drawn to marriage, and I know I COULD be a good husband, but I would like to get married for like a few years and then have a mutually agreeable date where we break it off and adopt the kids out or let them stay with their mother. That is a horrific thing to say, but we have to be honest with ourselves if we expect to get anywhere. The idea of marriage and family only excites me for the reason of companionship for a few years, but ultimately I don't feel I need that arrangement in order to have any sort of "completeness." Knowing what I just wrote, I know 100% of women would be not open to that arrangement and in fact, that arrangement violates scripture, so pretty much that means I'm called to be celibate and maybe even a monk. It's kind of a choice between remaining single "in the world" vs being in a monastery.

 

[mama2one]

ot

 

[jisaiah6113]

Yeah, it's profoundly immoral. I just had to say it in order to reveal to myself and maybe another person or others where I really stand in regards to the permanence of the marriage and kids institution for MYSELF (a beautiful institution ordained by God for the propagation of a species and God's people).

 

[John42]

Obviously, prosperity teachers say you don't have to settle to just get by. They might be worth a look. If that's not your cup of tea, you could look at The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. If that's not your cup of tea, then you could look at doing something on the side like day trading or maybe even a business.