Castle Gould
This past weekend was Mother's Day, and my wife picked out a place for us to go as a family. She chose a place on Long Island called, "The Sands Point Reserve" - a 216 acre estate where you can go and walk around these mansions built in the early 1900s. There are ornate gardens and trails through the woods, and it's all scenically positioned right along the Long Island Sound. Here’s the link:
http://sandspointpreserveconservancy.org/
It took us about forty-five minutes to get there. After parking the car, we found ourselves standing in front of this enormous, medieval castle.
We continued walking around the grounds. We crossed a field and eventually came to a second mansion, Tudor in style.
Unfortunately, we were not allowed to tour the inside of the mansions; all we could do was admire from the outside. But they were definitely very impressive to behold.
We continued walking around the estate, past a garden, and eventually we came to a bench overlooking the Long Island Sound. We sat down, and the kids began to play in the sand.
"I wonder what the story is behind these buildings," I said to my wife Joy. I took out my phone and did a google search. Here's what I found:
The property we were on was originally purchased in 1901 by a wealthy financer named Howard Gould.
After purchasing the undeveloped land, Mr. Gould built the medieval castle we had first seen, called "Castle Gould." This 100,000 square foot castle was a replica of a castle in Ireland. Howard Gould was married to a famous actress, named Katherine Clemmons. The castle was an attempt to please her.
Unfortunately "Castle Gould" ended up not pleasing Katherine. Consequently, Mr. Gould proceeded to build her the second mansion we had seen on the other side of the property - this one called "The Hempstead House." Eventually, Howard and Katherine got divorced, and the land was sold in 1917.
After reading the history behind the estate, I couldn’t help think of this verse:
Ecclesiastes 5:10:
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
This couple - Howard and Katherine - had more money than you could know what to do with. And you could tell from reading their story that it did not bring them happiness.
At one point, John D. Rockefeller controlled 90% of the entire oil and gas industry. He was the most wealthy person alive during his time. Someone once asked Rockefeller, "How much money is enough money?" Rockefeller's reply: "Just a little bit more."
So many people today have convinced themselves if they could just make a little more money, then they would be satisfied.
"If I could just make $50K a year..."
"If I could just make $60K a year..."
"If I could just make $70K a year..."
The truth is, however, that if we’re looking for money to bring us contentment, we’re out on a wild goose chase. No amount of money can ever lead to genuine, lasting satisfaction.
1 Timothy 6:9
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Living in New York City, I see it all the time. People with tremendous amounts of wealth - fancy cars, beautiful homes, expensive clothing - and they're constantly searching for that next thing to fill the void they feel inside.
The key, I think, is to understand that true joy does not come from acquiring more and more for ourselves. Instead, true joy comes from doing the exact opposite - giving more of ourselves to others.
Acts 20:35
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Let’s not make the same mistake Howard Gould and Katherine Clemmons made. Let’s not put our trust in riches. Let’s trust in the living God. And he’ll make sure all our needs are met.
