For the Love of money: Life in the Fast Lane

Martin Luther King Jr. was known for his compassion, boldness, and his peaceful way of challenging the status quo. He once said, “We are prone to judge success by the index of our salaries or the size of our automobiles rather than by the quality of our service and relationship to mankind.”

The Eagles sang about this, and King Solomon warned about it, yet many people still chase this kind of success. Still, the truth remains: “Money makes itself wings like an eagle and flies toward the heavens vanishing in the wink of an eye.” Despite this, the urge to acquire more money continues to drive men wild and women crazy, as if they had never heard, “The love of money is the root of all evil.”

We all need money to survive, so money itself isn’t evil, as some have misunderstood this to mean. However, when an all-consuming determination to acquire more money becomes the sole focus—especially when gains come at the expense of others instead of through mutual agreement and willing exchange—or when contentment is abandoned in favor of chasing the false security that money promises but can never deliver, then the love of money has replaced the need for money, and it can easily lead to losing one’s mind.

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A careful recollection of what brought joy, fulfillment, and contentment yesterday, last week, or last year reveals what truly matters today. People—family, friends, neighbors, loved ones—and the relationships we build are what make life valuable, not money or even what money can buy. Consequently, focusing on what is most valuable puts the importance of money into perspective. “For the whole world struggles to obtain what our Heavenly Father already knows we need. But to those who seek His Kingdom first, these things will be added.”

It has been said, “The humble are fortunate because the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.” Being humble is an entrance requirement to the Kingdom of Heaven, yet, by and large, the pursuit of money does not often foster humility. As a result, history is filled with people—and even entire cultures—who have lionized the pursuit of riches and, in doing so, have almost deified the act of making money.

Charles Wesley encouraged people to “Make all you can, save all you can, and give all you can,” while Benjamin Franklin resolved never to prostitute himself for the sake of a more comfortable subsistence. My mentor, Nelson Nash, often spoke about how modern conveniences become necessities, referring to a concept known in some circles as Hedonic Adaptation. The bottom line is this: money is only valuable for what it can do, not for what it can’t do. Since money cannot buy you love, make you happier, or make you a better person, having more money will only make you worse than you already are if you don’t become a better, happier, and more loving person regardless of how much money you have or make. This is the truth behind the story of new wine being reserved for new wineskins—it prevents the old skins from bursting and ruining both the old skin and the new wine. Money gained by someone who hasn’t changed their nature will be ruined by the money, and the money will have been wasted.

In 1976, the iconic band ABBA released a song featuring the memorable lyrics, “Money, Money, Money, always sunny in a rich man’s world.” While these words capture the allure and seeming ease that wealth might bring, extensive research tells a different story. Studies have shown that approximately 18 months after receiving a sudden influx of money, many people actually report feeling less happy than they were before their financial gain. This reveals a profound truth: money alone cannot buy what you are ultimately responsible for cultivating within yourself—true happiness and lasting contentment. As one wise observer put it, “Money has never made anyone happy, nor will it; there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more one has, the more one wants.”

Given this reality, it’s essential to slow down and reconsider the frantic rush to accumulate wealth as quickly as possible. If you don’t take the time to pause and reflect, you risk losing sight of what truly matters most in life. Instead of chasing after money with relentless urgency, place greater value on the real treasures you already possess—those gifts that no amount of money can ever buy. These include priceless things such as:

• Time to spend on what truly matters

• Genuine love and connection with others

• Inner peace that calms the mind and soul

• Good health to enjoy life’s moments fully

• Deep, meaningful relationships that enrich your days

• Mutual respect that builds trust and understanding

• And laughter, the simple joy that brightens even the darkest days

By embracing these invaluable riches, you create a foundation for a fulfilling life far beyond what any bank balance can provide.

Neil Diamond sang it best back in 1978, “Money talks, but it can’t sing and dance and it can’t walk.” Life is short and there is a time and place for everything under the sun.  Make sure to look after the important things in life and the rest will be there to enjoy as well. But when the focus drifts to the material even the material things acquired will merely be required of us.

Owning participating whole life insurance is a way of showing respect for others.  And yet, an added benefit in owning participating whole life is the ability to use the cash values of the policy prior to the death of the policyholder. Interestingly, those who do so add more value to the policy much like those who seek the Heavenly Kingdom first have all the mundane things in life added as well.

Remember, “It is the Lord who adds wealth to your life, and He adds no sorrow with it.” While, “Those who focus on getting rich are ensnared by many traps which plunge them into ruin and destruction.” Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich.  Be smart and confine yourself to spending and expanding upon the genuine fortunes of life, knowing everything else will be added.

Tomas P. McFie DC PhD

Tom McFie is the founder of McFie Insurance and co-host of the WealthTalks podcast which helps people keep more of the money they make, so they can have financial peace of mind. He has reviewed 1000s of whole life insurance policies and has practiced the Infinite Banking Concept for nearly 20 years, making him one of the foremost experts on achieving financial peace of mind. His latest book, A Biblical Guide to Personal Finance, can be purchased here.