The Price of Riches: A Reflection on Money, Choices and Spiritual Realms

The Price of Riches: A Reflection on Money, Choices and Spiritual Realms

Money is not corn; you can’t plant a seed and not expect to reap a bountiful harvest of it. Having money requires going through a process—paying the price, enduring the journey, and emerging with the reward. Unlike crops, money doesn’t sprout from the soil; it’s cultivated through effort, decisions, and systems.

Historically, a salary wasn’t even about money. The term originates from "salarium," a payment made in salt during ancient times. Over the years, salt gave way to coins, then paper money, and now digital currencies. Yet, the essence remains: a salary compensates work rendered, while a wage operates similarly, albeit on a daily or weekly basis. But beyond these structures lies a deeper question: what is the price to be paid for money?

The Haves vs. The Have-Nots

Traits such as health, fame, or integrity often seem inherent in individuals, woven into their genetic makeup. For them, success feels like second nature—a manifestation of their identity rather than a product of external efforts. Applying this lens to money, the question arises: is wealth similarly innate? Are there "haves" who seem destined for abundance and "have-nots" fated to struggle?

For the "have-nots" to ascend into the ranks of the "haves," barriers must first be overcome. These obstacles aren’t just physical but spiritual, mental, and emotional. One must confront the unseen forces that dictate their reality, navigate the competitive interests of established wealth, and exhibit smart strategies to not only acquire riches but sustain them.

Creating new wealth is no small feat. Billionaires—those rare individuals Forbes tracks in numbers as small as 3,000—chart unique paths in a world of over 8 billion people. Their success underscores that wealth isn’t just earned; it’s innovated, and only a select few manage to carve out such monumental achievements.

God, Mammon, and the Paths to Riches

This raises another dimension: the spiritual source of wealth. Both God and Mammon offer principles for attaining riches, yet their foundations and consequences diverge. From a physical perspective, distinguishing between "God's dollars" and "Mammon's dollars" is nearly impossible; money, after all, is neutral. But spiritually, the paths diverge sharply, reflecting choices of morality, intent, and long-term impact.

Take Adam and Eve, for instance. They faced a choice—God’s way or their way. The serpent seduced Eve by placing her and Adam at the center of the narrative, magnifying their desires rather than his own. It wasn’t about the serpent; it was about the promise of power and autonomy. Yet, like many choices in life, the serpent conveniently omitted the consequences.

Even Lucifer’s rebellion offers insights. He was created with immense beauty and authority but failed to recognize the sovereignty of his Creator. His rebellion wasn’t just an act of defiance but an overestimation of his own abilities. The result? A fall from grace and a role as the eternal antagonist. The Creator’s response—swift, decisive, and unyielding—proves that rebellion against divine order is ultimately futile. Was it really a war or simply a demonstration of divine might?

Choice: The Defining Factor

From Adam and Eve’s dilemma to Christian’s journey in Pilgrim’s Progress, life constantly presents choices. Heaven offers joy, rest, and fulfillment, but its path may be fraught with trials, as Christian battled Apollyon and Giant Despair. Hell, on the other hand, pulls toward sorrow and unrest, often appearing deceptively easy but laden with hidden costs.

This choice extends to the pursuit of riches. God’s way demands discipline, faith, and adherence to principles, often with clear guidelines on the journey ahead. Mammon’s way, while alluring, offers little insight into its consequences. It promises ease but rarely delivers it without extracting a price.

Closing Reflections

Money, like life, demands choices. Whether to walk the path of integrity or temptation, to pursue wealth for fulfillment or power, each decision shapes not just our material reality but our spiritual destiny. Ultimately, the question isn’t just about riches; it’s about the legacy we leave behind, the values we uphold, and the forces that guide our journey.

Will you choose the Creator’s enduring way or Mammon’s fleeting allure? The answer, as always, lies within.