I am not a man with vast amounts of money, nor do I claim to be wealthier than anyone else. Money is a very pitiful material possession when you think about it — it’s a piece of paper or metal with monetary value merely placed upon it, based on its imprints. Sometimes we take money and wealth too seriously. Humans in various parts of the world have rarely seen its face, and yet here in the U.S, we fight over it and constantly try to invent new ways to acquire and use it. Don’t get me wrong — money as a currency is vital and extremely important to sustain our lives, but we must use it accordingly.

Some days it sickens me to see people who have acquired so much wealth and yet feel the need to possess more and more — those who spend money like water on lavish things and expensive homes, while others are barely surviving in general. How can it be possible that paper and metal can be of so much importance so as to cause such extreme poverty? Our society tends to normalize selfish behavior and consider money to be a means to happiness, but is that actually true?

 “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 much grief.”

This verse from the Bible’s book of Timothy explains a lot about our current generation — men and women who live and die in pursuit of wealth, and yet find so much grief in it, often losing sight of their life’s goals.

The Old Testament also says: “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.” Examples of this are abundant. Many learn to keep themselves free of the constant temptation of money, but many have also given in to it. Do not worry yourself to gain wealth; ease from your consideration of it. Don’t let the power of money conquer your heart — learn to control your use of it and your behavior around it. Many would give their lives to have great wealth. Learn to keep your heart from that temptation.

“Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have.” — Hebrews 13:5

I’m not a man of vast wealth, but I am rich. I have a great faith and understanding of the world. I have been blessed with an amazing family and precious friends who support me.  Wealth has but monetary value. Human nature and interaction are eternal ones.