“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
Mark S says
Through my vocation I have known and become “friends” with many very wealthy people. As far as I know, I am acquainted with 7 billionaires, and some other people worth $100 million or more. We see each other often enough, and engage in conversation, exchange e-mails, send Christmas/holiday cards, etc.
Recently, I have had quite a disastrous time, everything has fallen apart, and I have gone broke and am frightened that I will end up on the street. All these super-wealthy people know what has happened and are aware of the state my life is in.
One of them, a billionaire, stopped talking to me when he found out I went broke, and we had actually been friends for 7 years! I think he is terrified that I might ask him for loan, that’s the only thing I can guess.
Another one, who identifies as a “devout Jesus follower,” and attends church every Sunday, just sent me a message, “I am sorry to hear of your struggles,” but, of course, he’s not going to help me (and I sure wouldn’t ask!). I guess he never opened the Bible, so he probably doesn’t know there are words inside. He’s fine with me going to live in the street and/or starving to death.
The Bible has hundreds of verses about being giving and charitable and helping others out and doing the right thing. It also admonishes those that are rich to love God (which means loving what is good and right in your heart), and loving your neighbor as yourself, instead of putting my money first.
All the others don’t care, including one for whom I have done an endless series of very nice things, for which I didn’t get paid. She’s probably worth $100 million or more, but she is not about to help me out in any way, shape or form.
These people don’t have money, money has them. They love money more than they love anything else. They would rather see me living in the street than to even offer to give me a loan so that I can get things back on track. I think if you were to ask them, “Would you rather see him dead, or would you buy him a bag of groceries?” they love money so much that they would choose my death.
Recently, I was down to my last $900. I saw a guy inside a trash can so I got to talking to him and I felt compelled to give him $90 from my wallet, so I did. These billionaires wouldn’t have given him anything, I’m sure, because their hearts are dark and the love of God doesn’t abide in them (it can’t abide in them, the love of money fills that spot).
Even forgetting religion or a spiritual aspect of life, it’s still a kind and decent thing to do to help someone who needs it. I think only a bad person refuses to help someone if they’re able to help someone. A billionaire is obviously able to help their friends and acquaintances…they simply choose not to…and choosing not to is what makes them bad people.
I do not admire the wealthy. Rich people are the worst people imaginable. So incredibly selfish and uncaring. Actually I shouldn’t call them “uncaring,” that’s not fair, they do care about something – money!
E. C. says
I’m very sorry you are hurting and in such a bad way. I know people who are rich that spent thousands on medical bills of mere acquaintances.
I’d consider asking if your friends need help with any odd jobs etc. I know you probably have. It is only a thought.
Praying for you and hoping things change soon.
Kiera G. says
Hi Mark,
I’m so sorry for your current situation. I hope that since your comment has been published you’ve found some relief.
Suzy Toronto says
Things could be worse. You could be them. Can you even imagine the demons and battles they must be fighting to be that way. So sad.
Sharon says
What is your vocation? You’re not a priest or you’d not be worried about having a roof over your head. There has to be some options for you. In my experience vocations mean paying jobs so I’m curious about your situation. I hope things are better.
Ash says
Martin. You are way off on Bill Gates. Even by his own admission, his success came down to luck and being in the right place at the right time. If he didn’t start Microsoft, someone else would have. There’s a great book called Outliers that explains how people become great….and it’s not how you’d expect. 90 % comes down to the luck of where you were born, when you were born and the family connections you were born into.Some intelligence and a good work ethic make up the other 10 percent.
Jason Francisco says
How i wish everyone to join illuminatic temple so that everyone will be happy, fulfill their dreams and become rich. But, is it possible?
Going back to the main topic, “minimalist” is loving God by loving neighbor [by being humble (taking the form of a servant), contented (by accepting what God gives them), and generous (by sharing all what’s left of him/her)].
All these minimalist acts can be seen thru Jesus Christ. Let us seek Him.
Ash says
Calm is also a great thing to be
Martin says
Rich people start one business successfully, they usually are successful with the others too. Because it doesn’t really matter what business they are in..
They are wired for success. It just comes to them naturally.
They have very strong neural connections, in the qualities that make you successful with money.
THAT is the only difference between most of people and a Bill Gates…. If he hadn’t made money with Microsoft, he’d of made money somewhere else.
He has a rich person’s brain…
And you’ll be able to do it by just by watching 90 second “movie previews”, and going through the Millionaire’s Brain Academy Product.I’ve taken all of the most powerful modalities…
Do you could get that millionaire brain, and be propelled almost effortlessly towards a lifetime of true wealth…Just by watching a few movie previews… Read more > http://tinyurl.com/h7qa8he
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Facepalm and Sigh says
I dunno there is some catch 22, basic word meaning, and other problems.
For instance to be honest you CANNOT oversell OR undersell yourself, either would be a direct and intentional lie(a lie you are aware of and intentionally making)one with the core motivation greed/fear and the other with the motivations of lack of confidence(shame(you feel damaged))/fear. Honesty mixing with the other aspects is also ENTIRELY about compromising, one cannot interact with others or be nonselfish withtout being willing and readily comprimising (though don’t confuse comprimise with betrayal, see the point that you can neither under nor oversell yourself) and being accepting.
Selflessness is a logic/reason trap, and it contradicts all the other points in the article (you can’t be selfless, and do all the other things mentioned in the article to do, since selflessness is self excluding and prevents you from working on yourself or being minimalist since both those are highly selfish acts and motivations).
Compassion: you went off topic, people SEEM to become less compassionate towards those with less than they make, because they made it on their own and without help, via independence becoming learned, pursuing their ideals goals or even by helping others, so they KNOW at if they were to show it (pity, which you have confused with compassion in that section) hey know it would only damage that person’s potential and individual success, they know it would be a detrimental and damagin action to commit, so they refrian as much as they are able, and it is quite difficult. They learn not to enable people’s negative(detrimental) traits and behavior so that they will clean up their act and grow and bloom on their own.
Dependence: this one is complicated, dependency is actually a very immature emotional state to be in (its next just after helplessness, which is the state where you unable or incapable of helping yourself(such as a new born babe, an unconscious person, , a comatose individual, etc)), now you might have been refering to stage three of Co-Dependence (or group dependence) which is an okay state to be in, but isn’t helping anyone or yourself grow, but its a solid state to sit in during turmoil or disaster and indeed a needed stage to grow through as a living creature. But one needs to work toward independence or something beyond (transcendent state(a state unknowabke by any state before it, but which can understand all the previous states,and perhaps more), most people are stuck in this co-dependent stage because its safe secure and beneficial (until it is not) it is a state most will shift to during disaster depending on their own abilities and access as well as based on their own intrinsic/innate levels of altrusim or considerateness(either/or or combinations of both if they empower each other in the individual).
And thats just the problems with the first few points, there is a large lack of critical thinking in the remainder, and I am sure it will get more critique from those with more energy to spare, if they are able and willing.
But basically the jist is: this becoming minimalist article is a dangerous/damaging trap, and isn’t really talking about minmalism or how to become minimalist :/
Hopefully others are reading this with a grain of salt and using highly judicious reasoning to examine each point carefully with maximized consideration for all the posibilities so they don’t fall prey or it will stunt their growth terribly, possibly worse.
Craig says
This article is interesting, but Gods word is even sharper. For this article fails to praise God for your life and everything you have been given.
Compare these three passages. 1. of God bringing Israel into the land he had promised them and his warnings to them 2. Jesus words from one of the gospels as he teaches on money and contentment without worry
3. Pauls teaching via Gods spirit on money and faith
1. Deuteronomy 8:10-18 NIV
[10] When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. [11] Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. [12] Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, [13] and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, [14] then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. [15] He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. [16] He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. [17] You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” [18] But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
2. Matthew 6:19-34 NIV
[19] “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. [20] But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. [22] “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. [23] But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! [24] “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. [25] “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? [26] Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? [27] Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life ? [28] “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. [29] Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. [30] If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? [31] So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
3. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 NIV
[6] But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. [8] But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. [9] 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. [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
ren says
Just want to feel secure.
Robert Lyon says
“…once our basic needs have been met…”
I agree with everything you have said here and I too have yet to fully realize these things in practice. I have made strides and Joshua has really helped me put things into perspective.
I think on of the biggest drawbacks of trying to become rich with money is that we will sacrifice the basic needs of others to to get there.
Going Here says
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It is believed that the Paris Escort Services are just for the VIPs but, it is totally false.
Henry Rodrigues says
Being rich is not always important. If you are not living the moment then only having money is not sufficient. “Learn from yesterday, live today and hope for future” this is Dr P Mohamed Ali says http://bit.ly/1Dkqy0n who is among the richest man in the middle-east but believes in keeping it simple http://bit.ly/1Kci1Ez