Grigori Perelman won the Millennium Prize from the Clay Mathematics Institute for solving a problem that had stumped mathematicians for a century. When told that the prize came with a $1 million award, Grigori, a reclusive genius who lives with his elderly mother in Russia, said that he would need to think about whether to accept the money.
Grigori may be eccentric, but he’s not crazy. As many lottery winners attest, sudden wealth can be devastating. Even the slow and steady accumulation of wealth can gradually tighten a noose around our lives. For the more we have, the more time and money it takes to care for it. Who is less burdened by possessions—a person who lives in an apartment and rides a bicycle to work or a homeowner with a manicured lawn and enough vehicles to fill his 3-stall garage?
Wise and wealthy, Solomon observed that it’s foolish to presume “that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it” (Ecclesiastes 5:10-11). The more you have, the more you have to work to keep what you have, but “We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us,” and so we realize that our “hard work is for nothing” (Ecclesiastes 5:15-16).
Jesus said that “life is not measured by how much you own” (Luke 12:15), and Solomon adds that even what you own can interfere with life. It sounds crazy, but Grigori might actually be better off without the money. As long as his basic needs are met, he certainly is no worse.
An opportunity to earn additional income can be a gift from God. But if you simply can’t imagine turning down the money, it may end up merely adding to your financial bondage.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Judges 16:22-31
More:
Read Psalm 49:16-20 and 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19 to learn how God wants us to think about and use our wealth.
Next:
How much of your energy is spent earning, spending, and tracking money? While this is a necessary part of stewardship, what can you do to keep your financial portfolio in perspective?
michael68 on March 14, 2011 at 3:47 am
I pray that our children will have the wisdom from God to know that possessions on earth are temporary and we should look to the eternal possessions in Heaven. It is very disheartening to open see schools and media promoting ways to climb the corporate ladder, be successful, and to make lots of money. Do they know what it is like to lead a meaningful and God centred life, to count our daily blessings, to love and care for each other and to share the gospel so that more can receive salvation?
lovwillent10 on March 14, 2011 at 8:46 am
Amen Michael :))
cspevacek on March 14, 2011 at 5:35 am
Mike you are right on this subject, my parents always told us that it seems the more you have, the more you want. This may not be the case for everyone, but I think most of those in Hollywood could be a scary example . I have found myself at times in the middle of a struggle wishing for more but praise our wise and caring God who showed me other ways to handle the situations and all was well. We just have to trust Him in these difficult financial times that He is in control and will see us through. If we could all just focus on the treasures of Heaven and work toward that goal instead of the short lived treasures of this world. Thank you for your insight today.
pastortim on March 14, 2011 at 5:37 am
I’m not against making money but there certainly is a balance to it. God will supply all our need by His riches in Christ. If we have money in abundance or we gain it we need to learn how to manage it. Money can be a blessing or a curse, it’s up to us. We should own things, things shouldn’t own us.
mike wittmer on March 14, 2011 at 7:57 am
cspev.:
I lived two years in China, where my only worldly possession was a bicycle. What a blessing! When it broke down, it costs $1 to repair. Now when my car needs fixing, it costs hundreds of dollars. A simpler lifestyle does free up a lot of time and money.
roxanne robbins on March 14, 2011 at 11:15 am
An excellent post.
I’m curious, what did Grigori Perelman ultimately decide?
tim gustafson on March 14, 2011 at 12:02 pm
My father gave me some excellent advice about this subject. Another company was offering me a job for more money, but I loved the job I currently had. My dad said, “Don’t even think about the money. What do you think the Lord wants you to do?”
Once I didn’t think about the money, the answer was clear.
GChoo on March 14, 2011 at 1:44 pm
It is so true in the words of Ecclesiastes 5, there are so many news about families fighting in court for the big inheritance left behind by their dead wealthy parents and as in divorce court cases where the less well off spouse wanting millions more out of it. Isn’t money making people becoming senseless? Yes, what’s the point of this hard work for nothing.
eppistle on March 15, 2011 at 9:03 am
It would be crazy not to take the money, but crazier not to give most of it away.
When poor British people were converted through John Wesley’s ministry, they gave up boozing, gambling and wasting their money and became diligent and hardworking. But the more sophisticated they became, the less committed to Christianity they became.
In response, Wesley said, “What shall we say then? That they should not save their money? That should not be industrious? No! We should say it is the duty of every man to work as hard as he can, to make as much money as he can, to spend as little as he can, so to give away all that he can.”