“Money often costs too much.” ―Ralph Waldo Emerson
Today, in most societies, the pursuit of wealth has become inevitable— almost as if the desire to be rich is already a forgone conclusion in our lives.
The prevailing view is that wealth is good, that it should be pursued, that material possessions and riches enhance our enjoyment in life, and that wealth provides opportunity to find greater fulfillment in life.
But recently, I have come to realize the pursuit of riches is based on a faulty premise. It is based on the incorrect rationale that the presence of money is always good—that it always brings benefit into our lives. This is not always the case.
Once our basic needs have been met, money contributes very little to our overall happiness and well-being. But more than that, there are actually a number of inherent dangers in possessing riches. Or maybe I should say, at the very least, there are better things to be than rich. And we’d live more fulfilled lives if we began chasing after them with as much intensity as we seek riches.
Consider just this short list of Things Better to Be Than Rich:
Content. Contentment is far more valuable than riches because whoever finds contentment is always satisfied. Money comes and goes—sometimes quickly. But contentment rises above our circumstance and offers happiness regardless of our financial state.
Generous. Jeff Shinabarger says it well, “Anything we find that is more than enough creates an immediate opportunity to make others’ lives better.” Our resources can accomplish great things in this world—but not if we keep them to ourselves.
Free. Jim Sollisch has recently come to this understanding. Often in our pursuit of wealth and bigger bank accounts, we sacrifice freedom. We think riches will provide greater freedom for our lives, but we rarely recognize how much freedom we have actually sacrificed in our attempt to simply find more of it.
Selfless. Choosing to live selfless lives that seek the benefit of others brings meaning, purpose, and lasting impact to our short lives. While living selfish, self-centered lives is neither attractive or fulfilling.
Honest. No compromises, no regrets. Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and harmful desires. Given the choice, we should choose honesty, integrity, and character any day. It makes laying our head on the pillow each night that much sweeter.
Passionate. It is far greater to have a career and life we love waking up to in the morning than a high-paying job that brings no satisfaction, provides no positive contribution, and provokes no passion in our day.
Dependent. There is greater security to be found in lasting, trusting relationships than wealth. Dependence on others teaches us this truth. But even more importantly, it also allows us to experience the goodness of other people.
Compassionate. The statistics continue to hold true. The more wealth we obtain, the less compassion and empathy we feel towards those without. And as a result, the less we contribute.
Humble. Wealth often brings with it a certain level of pride—or at least, a more-necessary intentionality to remove prideful tendencies. Sometimes this pride comes from within and sometimes it is encouraged by others. Meanwhile, humility quietly calls us to embrace its hidden power and freedom. It would be a shame to miss it at the expense of riches.
Resourceful. Learning how to live with less is an important pursuit. It teaches us the value of the things right in front of us and forces us to appreciate them even more.
Connected. Riches do not result in deeper relationships. In fact, often times, they have the opposite effect. But intimate, connected relationships continue to provide the joy in our lives money can never produce.
Perseverant. Perseverance is a powerful characteristic that can only be discovered through trial. And while riches cannot remove every trial in life, they can often remove just enough to keep perseverance from ever taking root in our heart.
Happy. As I mentioned, once our basic needs have been met, money contributes very little to our overall happiness and well-being. Gratitude, generosity, and contribution produce far more. And that is the real goal: to live lives of joy and fulfillment and help others to do the same.
Now, please don’t misread me. I am not contending that those with riches cannot also be content, generous, humble, or connected. I know many incredibly generous people who could also be described as wealthy. And I would never contend that those without wealth are better simply by the nature of that qualification. Lastly, I would never confess to have arrived fully in any of the categories listed above.
But I do believe with all my heart the pursuit of riches can lead to great danger. It is not a pursuit to be automatically accepted as the wisest course of action for our lives. In fact, as soon as it is removed, we provide greater opportunity for these better things to be true in our lives. And there are indeed, far better things to be than rich.
Image: Daniele Zedda
Glenda says
We should follow the example of a one year old when they are given a birthday present, they are more interested in the pretty paper or the box it came in than the present itself. This is how we are born, understanding the real meaning of life. But society brainwashes us into thinking we have to be a certain way.
Aroob sohail says
Satu Jaatinen says
I believe (now) that there is a balance that feels right for everyone differently potentially also differently at different times. If you perceive being poor as something you detest or if it makes you physically ill, you may strive for more material riches, for example. And when you get it, you may or may not detest / love spending so much of your time possessing. Since i suppose (now) that there there isn’t necessarily a way to swing the pendulum quicker, it may well be be that our experiences / needs / teachings / beliefs drive us, until they do not. That is then when one is ready to make a change….and I so thank you for the article. Made me test myself where I stand now. Could i live with less? Certainly. Would it make me happier? Maybe. Am i willing to try now? No although i have started making arrangements to enable this. What stops me? Enjoying the present enough not to change it. Will i be readier tomorrow? Maybe. Thanks for contributing to my awareness in this way.
Charley says
Tonight I had dinner with woman who I freelance for. I was shocked to find that she makes over 40,000 in a month, at 27 years old. I am around her age, and barely make that in a year. My rent is constantly late, credit cards overdue, and my 80 hour work weeks seems fruitless.
However, when this woman told me her purpose of asking me out to dinner, I was quite surprised. I figured she wanted to talk shop. After a glass of wine and a deep breath she told me that she was looking for advice. She revealed to me that the past few years she had worked so hard at ammasing wealth, she had neglected initimatacy all together. She now felt disconnected from the outside world, and nervous to begin dating agaun.Then she asked me if I, the coupon-cutting, plastic spoon washer was happy?
I told her the truth. ” Yes, I am always happy. I feel healthy, my friends and family are wonderful, and I do my best every day.” She seemed puzzled at the confidence with witch I spoke.
She continued to pepper me with questions over escargot, frogs legs, and far too much wine for a Tuesday night. She asked about my love life, habits, beliefs, and dreams. I learned about her as well. Her dream when she moved to the U.S. fro. China was to afford her favorite $400 shoes in every color. ” Now I have them all!” She replied with a smile. I asked her if those shoes made her happier. “No.” She said firmly with resolve.
This is not a cautionary tale. I think working hard to better oneself financially is necessary. True poverty causes hardships that can spill over to family, friends, and government. However, it is imperative to put health, family, friends, and happiness first. My friend tonight has money hand over fist, but in her quest for wealth lost her relatability, health, love life, and therefore her confidence. I may be poor, but my carefree spirit is priceless.
Kevin says
Great post. I can personally testify to several of the pitfalls of seeking after riches. There aren’t many passages that I can say I absolutely know experientially. The following is one.
“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”
Oliver says
Another excellent and truly inspiring post Josh!! Following quote comes to my mind in this context as well:
“The price we have to pay for money is sometimes liberty.”
– Robert Louis Stevenson
Totally spot on, money may fill your pockets (or your house or your garage), but not be fulfilling at all…
Thanks for the inspiration!
Steven Blake mba says
Thank you for another insightful post. Thanks to you I more easily embrace my love of getting rid of “things”. Your current topic relates well to Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, which in brief for those not familiar is that it is difficult to aspire to the next level until we are fulfilling all the needs of the level we are on. Most western societies no longer struggle to fulfill all of basic life needs and often try to purchase a way in to the intangible things above. They cannot of course buy things like Love, Esteem, and Self Actualisation. To me becoming minimalist is understanding the true nature of what brings long lasting contentment and happiness. Thank you for illuminating the path. Steven
Michelle says
sometimes the world is not always for you. we are living not really for ourselves but for other people. when we have understood this concept, we will stop being interested if we are being less ambitious or less competitive. the “me ” concept becomes small because we have bigger vision and bigger purpose. this is what Christianity is all about just as how He sacrificed Himself, so that others may live.
I hope I’m able to shed some light.
Michelle says
I think we should seek first to be truly rich in our ownselves thru our faith in God and love for other people. In that way our happiness is not centered thru material things but thru hope, faith and love. Once we have achieved this, even we are given material richness it would be put into good use because our true nature is good.
If we are good in nature, we will seek riches not for ourselves but more to give back to those in need. This is because we would find contentment in giving and helping people those in need.
I live in a third world country, my dream on becoming rich is rooted on the fact the I see a lot of kids in the street without any food to eat or even a good place to rest. Slum areas with families having a lot of children but no food to be place on the table.
I love to be minimalist because this could allow me to be content only with the basic things i needed, and give more to others. I love to be rich so I could promote business that could provide a sustainable livelihood for these people.
I want to give back 10% on to the church, 30% for myself and 70% to others. this is still a work in progress.
You see we could embrace minimalism so we could provide richness to others.
Peek says
Weak. Sounds like you gave up.
Vish says
Hi Josh,
My name is Vish and I love and enjoy reading your blogs. But I have a different opinion on the “Dependent” part. You see dependency comes on need basis, once the need is gone so does the person. But if you are independent and still have a good trusting and respectful relationship with someone, that brings more content, joy and freedom.
I would like to hear your feedback, on what basis did you write that one.
Thanks and keep writing…
Suzannah says
In the stillness of the snow yesterday, I blogged about this very thing.
http://www.bittersoet.blogspot.com/2014/01/blizzard-2014.html