Tag: 1 Timothy 6:10

Rules for the Rich: Money and Wealth and Unhappiness

The Rules of the Rich: Leaving out the Most important rule of all.
The Rules of the Rich: Leaving out the Most important rule of all.

THE RULES OF THE RICH:
THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE

Came across one of those articles which are so popular in a consumer-driven, covetous society, such as the one in which we live. You know the ones I’m talking about: 7 Rules of the Wealthy.

Or, 100 Ways to Become a Rich Person.

This one was titled, 21 Rules of the Rich (and how you can emulate them).

Some of the “rules” were observations on how the ordinary person can become “rich”–if only they would trade in their out-dated morality for the newfangled kind; i.e., the kind of morality that very wealthy people have.

Example:

Rule #1 was “Average people think MONEY is the root of all evil. Rich people believe POVERTY is the root of all evil.”

Christians who know their Bibles know that it’s the “LOVE of money” which gets people in trouble.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
—1 Timothy 6:10

Suffice it to say that this verse is not a popular one with the TV preachers who proclaim the “prosperity gospel” or “name it and claim it” theology. With them, earthly riches are the goal–as long as their listeners “bless” the prosperity preachers with “seed” offering.

This prosperity gospel has been repeated so much that worldly people, some of them self-identifying as ‘Christian’, attempt to rewrite 1 Timothy 6:10 to their own liking.  (See a number of articles referenced at the end of this piece for examples.)  But confusing “money” and “happiness” or “peace of mind” is one sure sign that someone has become possessed by the love of this present world.

Regardless of what the TV preachers and their disciples claim, scarcely the week passes that 1 Timothy 6:10 isn’t confirmed by one of the rich and celebrated–who seemingly have everything to live for, at least money-wise–commiting suicide.  Taking one’s life appears to strike particularly hard at those who are young, rich and famous through their involvement in the entertainment or music business.

In fact, having wealth appears to guarantee a certain level of discontent, exemplified by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous quote.

“Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me. They possess and enjoy early, and it does something to them, makes them soft, where we are hard, cynical where we are trustful, in a way that, unless you were born rich, it is very difficult to understand.”

But the Fitzgerald quote is not understanding: it is only the beginning of understanding on this subject.

So, if the rich are really sad and not to be envied,  how to explain the number of articles promising readers the keys to the doorway of riches?  Maybe it’s a case of a familiar folk saying?

“Misery loves company.”

Christians are taught that “love of money”–what the Bible calls “covetousness“–is a vice and leads to no end of sorrows.  Rich people are convinced that covetousness is a virtue.

Hey, writing these “Rules of Wealth” articles isn’t that hard!

Back to the Rich People article.

Rule #14 seemed especially sad: “Average people let money stress them out. Rich people find peace of mind in wealth.”

But since so many rich people drink, are addicted to drugs, are estranged from their loved ones or lead lives of not-so-quiet desperation, it appears self-apparent that money cannot buy one happiness–or peace of mind.

Though that never seems to stop people from wrestling with the notion.

Five ways money can buy you happiness

Christians are comforted by the knowledge that, regardless of income, they can obtain the peace that “passeth all understanding.”  For free!

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
—Philippians 4:7

In fact, a good way to tell a “pretend” Christian: one who never is satisfied nor content; one who is constantly struggling with peace of mind. Pursuit of earthly riches is a pretty good way NOT to obtain peace of mind.

” For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
–Romans 8:6

And yet, the world and those who live in the world–the carnally-minded–take it as a matter of fact that it is wealth which will finally bring them the peace of mind which eludes those who strive after the things of this world.

Back again to the Rules for the Rich.

The one rule that guarantees wealth never appears on these lists.  It’s the one rule for which this writer is always searching–but never finding–on those lists.  That simple Rule for the Rich is perhaps the MOST IMPORTANT RULE OF ALL for the fabulously rich people in the world.

“Start out with lots of money.”

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ETPR ESSAY

by Jeremiah J. Jameson

© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-13. © Mondo Frazier, DBKP and End Times Prophecy Report, 2007-13. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.