p. 16 | Cost of Luxury

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 9, 1911

Cost of Luxury

THIS is an age of luxurious living. Some of the wealthy families of the world to-day, even in democratic governments like the United States, show as lavish expenditure in the maintenance of their family life as did many of the princes and kings of olden time. According to the World’s Crisis of November 30, three hundred eleven million dollars was spent last year by Americans in foreign marts of trade, for luxuries alone, or half enough to pay the expenses of our national government. The following figures give some idea of this vast expenditure:—

Diamonds, precious stones, and jewelry .................... $49,377,824 Furs ........................... 26,597,644 Millinery ....................... 20,909,552 Gowns ........................... 14,270,755 Laces, trimmings, etc. .......... 50,918,033 Handkerchiefs ................... 2,404,631 Fans ............................ 270,026 Toilet requisites ............... 4,561,807 Art objects, musical instru- ments, and engravings ........... 28,469,657 Clocks and watches .............. 2,571,254 Wines and liquors ............... 24,716,798 Tobacco, cigars, etc. ........... 32,807,625 Horses and automobiles .......... 7,133,106 Toys, etc., for children ........ 6,859,974 Carpets .......................... 24,909,767 Furniture ........................ 801,713 Mahogany ........................ 3,224,152 Plants and flowers .............. 1,242,144 Decorated porcelains ............ 9,359,176

If this large amount of money, with the many added millions spent in other useless ways, could be used in alleviating some of the world’s misery and distress, what a vast amount of good might be accomplished, and how much more true pleasure would be enjoyed by the donors, to say nothing of the relief afforded to the recipients! The mere possession of wealth, in and of itself, is not an evil; the power to make money, and make it honestly, is a talent from God; but the “love of money is the root of all evil.” Its selfish hoarding and reckless expenditure will prove a curse.