In today’s society, almost
everything seems to revolve around acquiring and spending money. Wealth has
become a status symbol that indicates success, intellect, and happiness. However,
money is not the only thing that makes a man rich. A man can be rich in many
different ways: in family, in friends, and in love. To many people, these
riches are of far greater importance and are far more rewarding than money
could ever be.
The most common connotation of the word rich has to do
with money. In this context, riches and wealth can be used
interchangeably. The lives of many
people, especially in wealthy areas, are consumed by money. These people are
always searching and working for more. Most are never satisfied with having a
merely mediocre life. Monetary wealth is often spent on material belongings
like cars, clothes, and houses. Although these objects provide some happiness,
they are often not enough to create a truly happy life. As the cliché goes,
“Money cannot buy happiness.” These descriptions can be very stereotypical
though, as there are many wealthy people who do not spend all of their riches
on material objects. Many donate money
or invest in a good cause rather than splurge on expensive possessions. Money
can also provide important opportunities such as the ability to attend college without
having to incur debt from student loans. Poverty-stricken people often place an
extreme amount of importance on money as well. Since riches are necessary to
put a roof over people’s heads and food on their plates, the earning of money
can take on the most important role in a families’ life. The lack of riches and
wealth often causes stress and fear that there will never be enough to sufficiently
provide for and take care of the family. Despite all of the possessions and
necessities that money and riches can buy, money cannot make people completely
happy. Something more is needed to supplement this wealth and make it
worthwhile.
The etymology of the word rich fits best when rich is
defined as having money or power. The word rich originally comes from the Old
English word “rice” meaning “strong, powerful, great, mighty, and of high rank”
(Harper). The word’s modern spelling and form is influenced by the Old French
word “riche,” meaning “wealthy, magnificent, and sumptuous” (Harper). This change in the word’s spelling and form
indicates the important relationship between money and power through the ages. As
in modern times, money has been important in establishing power since the
beginning of civilization. The more wealth a person has, the more influence he
or she is able to hold over the community. This social dynamic can be good or
bad, depending upon who holds the riches and the power.
Money and fortune are not the only forms of richness. In
fact, they are not even the most important forms of richness. Although money
can put expensive shoes on people’s feet and keys to a fancy car in people’s
hands, it cannot put happiness or love in their hearts. The real riches of life
come from close relationships and memorable experiences that have a lasting
impact. These riches are not material objects. They are the memories and traits
that shape a person’s character and outlook on life. According to the Journal
of Personality and Social Psychology, “relationships with other people have a
much larger effect on the quality of life than money does” (Thompson). Relationships
with others often produce many of the most important riches: love, comfort, and
respect. The riches obtained through relationships with family and friends are
also supplemented by experiences that can influence a person’s character or
approach to life. A project to help others and put others first can be
immensely rewarding because of the feelings of joy and satisfaction that come
with being able to help others and change their quality of life.
Service to the community is a very special experience
that can greatly enrich one’s life. I experience this enrichment each time I
volunteer for an organization called Feed My Starving Children. After spending
time with my family and a community of other volunteers packing food for
starving children in foreign countries, I feel a rush of happiness and
thankfulness for what I have and what I am able to do. Being able to help
people and make a difference in the world produces a lasting feeling of joy
that cannot be taken away. I became richer in joy and love because of my
service. The happiness and the change of character that accompany my service are
lasting riches that are worth more than money because of the positive impact on
my life and the lives of those around me.
Many people, even famous singers and actors, have begun
to take part in humanitarian projects to help impact the world and improve people’s
lives. Even though they have fame and fortune, the actors and singers still
search for a more lasting form of richness through service to the community and
the relationships built in the process. For example, in his music video for the
song “Headphones,” Matt Nathanson travels to Peru to join with the Starkey
Hearing Foundation to raise money and awareness for the foundation and all of
the amazing work they do to bring hearing aids to people who are too poor to
afford them (Nathanson). While in Peru, Nathanson works with a special team
that fits deaf children and adults with free hearing aids so that they can hear
once again. Nathanson experiences true
joy when he sees the impact and change he makes in the lives of people who are
able to hear again after losing that vital sense. The experience that Nathanson
has and the love he witnesses are examples of the richness of love, overflowing
joy, and thankfulness. In addition to Nathanson gaining richness in his life,
the poor who receive hearing aids are also able to live fuller, richer lives
because of their improved hearing and positive experiences with the Starkey
foundation. Even in a place of extreme poverty, richness can still be found in
the love and joy of restoring hearing to the deaf.
Unfortunately, many people do not understand the true
meaning of the word rich. Most people see richness as having to do with money
rather than virtue. Riches are not just money and wealth. They are not the
material possessions people own. Riches are the joys that come from love,
charity, selflessness, and family. These virtuous riches are what are truly
important. Truly rich people know that money is not a priority, love is.
The different connotations of the word “rich” are quite
similar even though they highlight the importance of different aspects of
people’s lives. The common form of riches is money and the abstract form is positive
relationships and a character filled with love, selflessness, and joy. It is
extremely important to realize that riches of character and relationships
vastly outweigh monetary riches. If people neglect to focus more of their
energy on family, friends, and self rather than on money, they miss the truly
meaningful experiences in life like laughing with a best friend or spending
quality time with a parent or sibling. Being truly rich is not a matter of
money. It is a matter of relationships and character. Although a man can find riches in many
different ways throughout life, the greatest riches of all come from love and
compassion, not from money.
Works Cited
Harper,
Douglas. "Rich." Online Etymology Dictionary. Sponsored Words,
n.d. Web. 02 Feb.
2015.
Matt Nathanson- Headphones (Official Video) Ft. LOLO. Dir. Brendan Walter and Mel
Soria.
Perf. Matt Nathanson.
Youtube, 2014.
Thompson,
Scott. "Why Is Family More Important Than Money?" Global Post.
Demand Media,
n.d. Web. 03 Feb.
2015.
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