"Sudden
Wealth Syndrome"
"People who want to
get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful
desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a
root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the
faith and pierced themselves with many griefs"
(1 Timothy 6:9,10). "Yet when I surveyed all that
my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was
meaningless" (Ecclesiastes
Recently I’ve heard
several times about a newly discovered psychological disorder afflicting the
newly rich called "sudden wealth syndrome". It seems some massively
rich dot.com types are now dealing with guilt and anxiety. They feel guilty
about how quickly they became rich and very anxious that they could lose it
just as quickly. They also discover that money itself does not make them happy
(surprise). Several treatment options are available. A number of psychologists,
particularly in the Bay area, are now specializing in treating sudden wealth
syndrome. This should be cash cow for them!
Well, I suspect this is
one disease that most of you reading this devotional haven’t given much thought
to or really worry too much about getting. Of course some may think, "I
sure wouldn’t mind trying it!" Wanting to get rich is nothing new and the
apostle Paul’s warning, notwithstanding, is not in itself
wrong. God has indicated a part of His blessing on His people is wealth. Wealth
can be the result of such Biblical qualities as hard work, diligence and
careful stewardship. "Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in
silver and gold" (Genesis 13:2). "Isaac planted crops in that land
and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him. The man
became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very
wealthy" (Genesis 26:12,13). Moses challenged the
people, "But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the
ability to produce wealth" (Deuteronomy
Notice the phrase in 1
Timothy
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber