Treasure hunts, races, games of chance, and intelligence competitions are fun to win. It is especially fun when an award is given to the first, the smartest, or the best. Some contests are hard, like winning the X-prize, and some are fairly easy like checkers.

So what would you think about a contest to see who can find the poorest person in the world? If you thought you knew the answer, would you enter?

I asked myself this question over the weekend and I challenge you to dig deep into your brain (or smart phone) to see if you came up with the same results. Of course I would feel excitement from knowing the answer, even more elated about winning $100. It’s the answer to the question that bothered me.

Now for the hardest part: If I did know the answer to “Who is the poorest person on Earth“, what would I do with the $100 prize?

Wow. There’s a guilt trip somewhere in there, huh?!

If I knew who the poorest person in the entire planet was, would I do anything about it? Seriosly, we’re talking about someone who has less than dirt. They have and own nothing. I envision a dirty little girl with mud on her feet and a dusty, cracked plate. She has no access to clean water, no bed to sleep on, and nobody to talk to.

“Stop it Steve, this is really depressing!” I agree. My heart is heavy just envisioning such a sad soul – and my idea of the poorest person alive may not be the actual poorest person!

Somehow all my articles about simple budgets, paying off the lowest balance or highest interest rate first, and saying NO to FICO seem completely inappropriate!

We are a blessed nation with energy, food, and places of shelter when storms come a rollin’ by. Thanksgiving might be over but I thank the good Lord every day for the chance to see the sun shining and my daughter smiling.

I am truly the richest man on Earth.