Wealth is relative. When I was in high school, I worked in a grocery store and mowed lawns to earn income. Most of my high school friends did not work, so based on my earnings, I was wealthier than my friends. Yet, by outward appearances, I was not wealthy. Most of my friends drove more expensive cars than my parent’s cars that I drove. One of my good friends drove a large Cadillac given to her by her wealthy father. She kindly drove her high school friends who did not have a car. Occasionally I would join them, primarily to experience traveling in a luxurious car.
Another sign of wealth during my teenage years was owning a mobile ham radio. Cell phones had not been invented but one could install a small ham radio into a car, apply for a license, and then converse with other high school friends who also owned a mobile ham radio. My parents would not allow me to purchase a ham radio even if I had the money. I was informed that “if you can purchase a ham radio, then you can pay for your college tuition.” My parent’s values were in the right place, although from my perspective at the time, mobile ham radios were pretty cool. It would have elevated me amongst the popular high school elite.
When I went to university, I soon realized that my high school wealth did not put me into the university ‘wealthy.’ Denver suburban wealth far exceeded my small-town Texas wealth. Many Colorado students wore designer ski clothes, drove expensive cars, and regularly snow skied. I originally thought it was cool to wear a utilitarian mountain parka. My fellow students wore fashionable ski jackets and snow boots. I did not have a car while the locals drove home on weekends for homemade meals and Bronco football games. Unlike most of my wealthier fellow students, I had to work weekends to afford to go to college.
As I journey through life, I still find wealth is relative. Statistically, I am a wealthy American. Compared to those outside the USA, I am even wealthier. Compared to a billionaire, I am not wealthy. I don’t own a private jet or luxurious ski chalet. I can’t afford to fly into space or give $100M to nonprofits. Yet, I do enjoy traveling and live in a neighborhood most Americans cannot afford. Wealth depends on economic definitions and comparisons.
This year (July 12–30), two extremely wealthy people, Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, were married in Mumbai, India. The groom is the son of the richest man in Asia. The bride is the daughter of a healthcare CEO. The wedding was described as India’s “wedding of the year,” estimated to cost between $300M and $600M. Pre-wedding celebrations started in March and continued through July. Performers, such as the Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, and Justin Bieber, entertained the many wealthy and famous guests, including Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Hilary Clinton. I did not get an invitation; I am fairly sure my lower wealth and status kept me off the invite list.
There was ample press coverage of the grand wedding, although not all was positive. Wealth-shaming is a term used when people attack rich individuals who flaunt their wealth. It can also be attached to wealthy individuals when they make more money than their family or community of origin. Warren Buffet usually doesn’t get wealth-shamed because he spends relatively little of his wealth on himself, lives in a modest dwelling, and promised to give his wealth away. Wealth-shaming was applied to Anant and Radhika because they spent so much money on their wedding in a country that has abundant poverty.
Should I be wealth-shaming those that lavishly and frivolously spend on themselves amid abject poverty? Should I make derogatory comments about politicians who flocked to the “wedding of the year” while representing millions of poor electorates? The Christian theological answer is no.
I took a Theology of Money course at Seminary which helped me to theologically wrestle with the question of wealth. First, wealth gained honestly that helps the community is not condemned in Scripture. In fact, it is sometimes praised. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, is one of the wealthiest individuals in the world. I have purchased many Amazon products because their products are cost-effective and efficiently delivered. My time and gasoline are sometimes put to better use with Amazon purchases than store shopping. I don’t condemn Jeff Bezos for his wealth that was obtained honestly, and Amazon serves the community.
Second, God commanded that we shall not covet: the inordinate desire for what belongs to another. Is our disdain for another person’s wealth because we are jealous? Do we wish for another’s wealth or are we satisfied with our present condition? And third, Jesus Christ did not condemn the rich man for having wealth. It was the rich man’s love of wealth that Jesus condemned. (Mark 10:17–25) Bill Gates once said that it was more difficult to effectively give money away than to earn it. Are you donating money out of love or self-aggrandizement? These questions require analyzing Scripture and thoughtful prayer to answer, not a quick emotional reaction.
Wealth is a difficult topic. I have seen wealth change people for the better and the worse. I have also seen individual sin in the quest to obtain wealth. If you are so blessed to be relatively wealthy from honest labor or just good fortune, then it is a blessing that requires prudent reflection. Where is my heart in relation to money? How do I serve my community that has blessed me?
When I was in university, I once hoped that someday I would own a Porsche sports car. After I retired and returned to Texas, I test drove a Porsche 911. I found the drive to be uncomfortable as it was designed to feel the road and curves. I could afford the car but after going home, I started to ask myself why I wanted a Porsche since I really did not like to drive it. I discovered that I wanted it so that others could see me in it. Then my mother’s voice rang in my head: “If you can afford a Porsche 911, you can afford college tuition.” My wife and I decided to fund first-generation college scholarships. As I grew older, my parents seem to get smarter.
