“The more [money] a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one.” —Benjamin Franklin
Reflection:
The following story illustrates this quote.
The English millionaire Jon Pedley had great dreams that he had managed to fulfill. Money, fame, respect—he had it all. He’d even been featured on magazine covers. But it turned out he was struggling. Somewhere past the façade, there was a nagging little voice that told him that all was not as it seemed to be, that there was more to life than just wealth. He hated that voice and tried to drown it out with alcohol. One day he drank too much and had a car crash. He ended up in a coma for six weeks. But that wasn’t the end. When he finally woke up, he’d had enough. He realized he needed to change. And change he did! He gave his heart to God and most of his money to charity. Then he flew to Uganda, lived in a mud hut among the poor, and started an orphanage for lost children.
Not everyone is called to sell all their worldly belongings and live in primitive conditions, but Jon Pedley’s story is a good illustration of how true lasting happiness isn’t found in accumulating money and possessions.