Forget the horses … bet on the goats

Tens of millions of dollars will be spent on today’s Melbourne Cup. It’s called the race that stops a nation and it’s fairly close to the truth. It’s a public holiday in Victoria, where the race is run, but work pretty much stops in most places across the rest of the nation when the actual race is in progress.

I’ve never even spent a cent gambling on horses and I’ve got to admit that it doesn’t interest me. I have enjoyed a few good lunches with workmates at a couple of places I’ve worked when they’ve sat down to watch the horses, but that’s about it.

If you’re not putting money on the nags for any reason can I challenge you to spend that money anyway? I personally do think it’s obscene that we, as a nation, throw away so much money on this one day in November but I can’t say that “the money should be put to better use” if I’m not using my own money wisely. I don’t have the right to criticise others for the way they spend their money but I can choose to do something with my own earnings.

Instead of putting your money on a horse today in the hope that it’ll make your life a little better, how about putting your money on a goat, knowing that it will make a major difference in someone else’s life. Through Tear Australia’s World’s Most Useful Gift Catalogue you can spend just $50 to buy a goat for a poor family in Afghanistan or Bangladesh. The catalogue says, Get your goat, and it will provide generously for a family who really need it. Goats are easy to care for and fast to re-produce, and are highly valued for their milk and meat.

You don’t even need to spend $50. You can pay just $5 for eye care or school supplies right through to $2000 for a school building. There are lots of choices. If you prefer to give to another worthwhile cause there are plenty of choices.

I hope that you’ll take the opportunity today to put your money on a real winner. Will it really make a difference? You can bet on it.

Posted by Rodney Olsen

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About the author

Rodney Olsen

Rodney is a husband, father, cyclist, blogger and podcaster from Perth Western Australia.

He has worked in radio at Perth's media ministry Sonshine for over 25 years and has previously worked at ministries such as Compassion Australia and Bible Society.

The views he expresses here are his own.

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