I've known a number of people who could be considered rich.
Apart for the ones in my family, none that I knew were self-made except one.
From what I've seen, there's a reason we're told in Matthew that it is very hard for a rich person to enter into heaven. I can understand why.
People tend to use the following equation:
Material possessions = No needs
When you don't think you need anything, why bother with God, and if you do, why bother to go beyond a superficial level?
Money also does give people some emotional comforts and the false appearance of peace. People think rich people are smart, so they give them respect. People like rich people, so they're nice to them and want to be associated with them and consider it an honor if they're friends.
When a rich person does have an emotional crisis, they often sooth themselves with physical comforts.
When they feel bad about themselves, they can give a donation and feel good about themselves.
When others bring up their bad points, they are easily able to sway others around them to their opinion because people, even the poor, often don't want to anger the rich person. After all, that person may have given to them, hired them, or they simply may consider it better to keep in the good graces of a rich person out of pride or personal benefit. Even the consequences of sin can be taken care of in cash a whole lot of the time.
Where's the need for God? It's hard to recognize when you have everyone telling you how great and wonderful you are.
The Bible tells us it is difficult for them, and I believe the reasons I stated highly contribute to that difficult. Money can and does corrupt even the best of souls.
So should we hate the rich? Nah, often I feel sorry for them, although there's a couple I have in mind that were such users that I still find hatred for them buried in me when certain reminders come up.
Envious? No way. Money is nice, but it ruins people and destroys lives. So many people think life would be better if they just had a little more money, but rarely do you meet anyone who says "okay, now I have enough."
And the bigger the bank account, the bigger the headaches. When you don't have much you're free. When you have more, there is more responsibility. More hassles. There are worries about your "stuff" getting stolen, paranoia about getting used, that your friends only like you for your money (and a lot of the times that is very true) and if the stock market falls, worry and fear take over your mind.
Some can handle it, but the majority cannot. When you look at the Forbes list or other lists, remember that philanthropy doesn't equal Christianity. The best clue you have that someone is a believer is that they profess Christ and then live in a manner that honors a just and holy God.
