The Dubious Privilege of Wealth and the Enduring Value of Integrity
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Wealth and Privilege
Americans have a hate-love relationship with wealth. Most people would like to be rich and famous. We fawn over people who have made it big. And yet, we resent them and their wealth when we don’t have it ourselves.
One reason for resentment to rise is the arrogance of those who are rich. Not only do they act and talk as if they’re better than others, but they think they deserve more honor than the rest of us.
Their status and wealth go to their head. But it’s a deception. It’s a sense of self-righteousness. But other people—especially those poorer than them—often see right through their facade. This is the value of discernment.
Not all those who are poor understand this. I’ve lived in and visited other nations where despots rule with an iron fist, clutching the wealth they’ve stolen from their own people. Still, people continue to elect and support such rulers with a futile hope they’ll benefit in some way.
Those of us who aren’t rich and powerful but who’ve rubbed shoulders with wealthy people in daily life know they are people just like us. Their wealth isn’t the problem. It’s how they allow it to affect them.
Scripture
A rich person is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor person with understanding sees right through him. (Proverbs 28:11 GW)
(Context— (Proverbs 28:1-14 GW)
Simple Insights
All rich people aren’t arrogant. Some know their wealth and status can disappear or diminish faster than it came to them. Others see their wealth as a responsibility. They’re compelled to handle it and use it wisely.
But too often, the rich who aren’t arrogant are the exception, not the rule.
What about the poor who have enough understanding to see right through the wealthy who are arrogant? Unless we keep our minds and hearts in check, we’ll become resentful rather than discerning.
For many years, I racked up lots of air miles with frequent flights overseas. This gained me certain benefits and privileges. On one flight, after taking my seat in the economy section of the plane, the airline upgraded me to business class.
As I made my way up front towards the privileged section, another passenger made snide comments to me in an effort to make me feel bad. His misplaced resentment was because of jealousy and his desire for the same privilege.
We only see through a rich person’s arrogance and false sense of rightness when we have sensible values and the perspective that comes with understanding. Just a few verses before verse 11 above, we’re reminded of something important—
Better to be a poor person who has integrity than to be rich and double-dealing. (Prov 28:6 GW)
If we don’t want to be filled with resentment towards those who are rich or caught up with the desire for their riches, we need integrity—a soundness of character.
When our values and sense of worth are not attached to what’s fleeting and tied to this life only, we’re more apt to be content with what we have. We’ll also appreciate other people in our lives and be confident in who we are as a person.
When we have integrity and genuine, godly understanding, we’ll see people for who they are and things for what they are. And this carries over into the next life. Personally, I’ll choose integrity over wealth every time. Wealth is fleeting but integrity endures.
Reflection—
When our values and sense of worth aren’t attached to what’s fleeting and tied to this life only and when we have integrity and true understanding, we’ll see people for who they are and things for what they are.
Prayer Focus—
If you struggle with resentment towards the rich and powerful, ask for God’s wisdom so you can have a better perspective on everything. Ask for discernment and understanding. God promises to give us the wisdom we lack (James 1:5).
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