Living Rich Aint All It’s Cracked Up to Be

Why the aspiration of wealth will disappoint

Last year, for almost no reason of my own, I was invited to participate in some super luxury experiences. (At least luxury for me!)

• I got to stay at a multimillion-dollar mansion in LA.

• I got to drive $200k cars.

• I got to sit near courtside with the stars at Staples Center.

• I got to eat at super fancy restaurants.

Trust me, this is no boast. I was just invited as a friend.

And let me tell you something - it ain't all it’s cracked up to be.

This dawned upon me when I was eating at that fancy restaurant where the bill for two people was a few hundred dollars. And the worst part? I was still hungry.

The plates were tiny (but delicious!).

I was processing this with my ultra-rich Christian friend about this. And he said something that really helped.

He said, “Phil, honestly, I don’t like rich people food. I much prefer cheap delicious food with good friends.”

And that’s when it clicked.

Don’t confuse being rich with being truly rich.

I remember eating at the restaurant. It was truly very nice. But I couldn’t explain it, it was cold. People there didn’t… love each other. They were there, very privileged.

I feel that embodied so much of what it’s like to “live rich”.

Extravagant but empty

This is what true wealth is:

True wealth is knowing Jesus.
True wealth is raising a great family.
True wealth is having Kingdom purpose.
True wealth is seeing lost people come to know Him.
True wealth is riches in heaven.
True wealth is being part of a great local church.

I know some of you aspire to be rich. I just want to share my experience - it’s not all it’s cracked up to be!

What does it profit to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul?

Don’t get duped by what the world tells you about riches. Be grateful for the riches we have in Christ.

You were made for greatness,
Phil