Super-Rich.... and Less Than Happy

Amidst all of the rancor between the various constituencies in this country, the chaotic, scary, sad mess in Japan, and the continuing confusion in the Middle East, today's post is about the ethical complications of an article I read in The Atlantic, one that raises questions about wealth, desire, love, hopes, goals and the good life. Entitled "Secret Fears of the Super Rich," it describes a sociological research center at Boston College that sent questionnaires to people with over $25 Million dollars asking them about their fears, hopes, worries and goals. As I have clear populist leanings, and can't imagine what $25 Million dollars looks like, nonetheless what to spend it on, I was somewhat reluctant in reading it. And I was rather shocked to find that it got me thinking about some underlying cultural assumptions about wealth and value.

Using the responses from around 165 households, the article describes how such wealthy folk are generally more dissatisfied than satisfied overall. Why?
--Idle Hands make Idle Minds: They worry about work, not because they need to, but because work is one of the major measures and instillers of value. And because they don't have to work, they struggle with a sense of societal purpose and meaning.
--Keep Up With the Joneses: They don't consider themselves financially secure. Because of the circles many of them run in, there is always someone with more wealth that sets a higher bar for financial security.
--The Grass is always Greener: They worry about social acceptance. Their fear is that if others knew that they were wealthy, they will be a social pariah. 
--Worry Warts: They worry about their children, especially about making sure that their kids use any wealth responsibly. Many aren't sure how to transfer wealth to later generations without turning them into wealthy brats or cause them to become resentful by setting goals they have to achieve (college, job, etc.) before the money is doled out.
--Give the Shirt Off Your Back: Many of them are happiest when they give their money away through a foundation.

Lots of cliches about money, eh? So what's my point in all of this blather about an experience that most of us can't even comprehend? Well, in a world that largely suggests success has to do with financial security, having "things" and social status, the info from such a study is a good reminder that being wealthy is not the route to happiness. Establishing wealth and material security as one's highest goal is rather misguided, and the inner workings and worries of the human soul seems to recognize that our true calling is not for wealth or the world, but for something else. One can never have enough money, or things, as there is always something "new and improved" or "updated." There is always more that we "need."

As a Christian, I try/struggle/desire to use the resources of this tradition, and in particular Christ and God, as the means to make sense of my true aim: to love God and the neighbor. So as much as I worry about money and financial security (and I do a lot), it is helpful to have reminders that one can never have enough wealth to truly find peace. Peace comes not from things we buy, but from our relationships, from our experiences, from those around us, from the intangibles. And the peace God reveals to us, albeit imperfectly, at least gives us a sense that one's heart gets involved in what one desires, meaning we should desire what can't be objectified, simplified, purchased or improved.

And as much as I don't like to admit it, Donald Trump and Rush Limbaugh are my neighbor, even if I think that they are misguidedly striving for a life that ultimately is less fulfilling, satisfying and holy than the life that is directed towards God. I certainly am not trying to excuse or justify such behavior or lifestyles, but to suggest that God is our ground and end, making us responsible for others, allowing us to see that things aren't our true end.

Augustine was right thousands of years ago when he made a distinction between using things in the world to enjoy God or merely enjoying things in the world. Even the awareness by the Super-Rich that they felt most connected and satisfied in giving money away suggests that money isn't something that can be enjoyed, but is best used for something greater, to help others, to shape a community, to form relationships. If only those who have could find the means to look behind their insecurity to see that it isn't through money that security is found.

Maybe it is really all about "Your Money or Your Life"....

From: http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/04/secret-fears-of-the-super-rich/8419