The Snare That Befalls the Rich

It’s pay raise season at work, and it’s made me contemplate how every time I get a raise or increase in some form of compensation, soon after, it starts to feel like it's never enough – even though it is enough in actuality in terms of meeting my needs, wants and then some.

I think this is the snare that befalls we who are “rich.” Over time, Our income feels like never enough. Our homes and cars feel like never enough. Our lifestyle security feels like never enough. We gradually want more and more and more, and then start to consume more and more resources in that pursuit.  We can lose sight of the big blessings God has given us when most of the world is living in poverty, and we become part of the problem. The consumers, not the givers.

The real question isn’t what is enough. It’s what are we really trying to feed in ourselves that is empty and needing these possessions, riches, and security to feel happy and fulfilled? Often, it’s an absence of a Christ-centered life. Because if Christ was at the center, we’d recognize He is most important and the greatest of riches. All these other things are just temporary.

At a recent Franciscan gathering, my community was talking about their greatest treasures. None of them said their income, home, car, or possessions. Their faith and family/relationships were the top treasures. It helps to remember that the only things we take with us to the next life are exactly those two things. If you aren’t mainly investing in your faith and relationships, what are you investing in? 

If you find yourself struggling with riches and wants, I have found a couple things that have helped me keep perspective:

• Take steps to make Christ the center of your life and greatest treasure.
• Give generously; at least 10% of your income and even more. 
• Review your expenses. What expenses should decrease to live a more detached, simple life?
• Lower your standard of living. We can all live on less, even if we can feasibly live on more.
• Choose more humble possessions, such as quality but lower cost appliances, cars and furniture.
• Prolong buying the new phone, computer, gadget, etc. as long as possible. We don’t have to have the latest and greatest.
• Make a promise of simplicity. I have no doubt my profession as a Secular Franciscan has given me the grace to accept and desire a simpler way of life.
• Expand your family. If you have the means of supporting more people in your household, care for the orphan and widow and anyone else in need - the Gospel calls us to.
• Remind yourself every day of the blessings you have that others do not.

It’s a blessing to be “rich,” but it’s also a snare and the Bible alludes to that. God gives us gifts and resources not just for our own benefit, but for others' as well, and we are to be good stewards of those. Keep these in mind as you strive to live a faithful life and not get caught in it.