Wealth and Relationships

Wealth makes many “friends”; poverty drives them all away.

Proverbs 19:4 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.19.4.NLT

One of the great experiences at Warm Beach Camp is the formation of life-long friendships. Recently, at one Family Camp, people who have been coming for generations upon generations gathered to grow in God and enjoy each other’s relationships.

As I have watched people connect with each other over the years, I see people truly enjoying each other for who they are. The relationship is not established or maintained based on wealth.

“Money friendships” do not last. The reason is simple: Wealth is not relational. Wealth can’t create a friendship, let alone maintain one.

Photo by Katie Harp – Pinterest Manager on Unsplash

One of my best friends from college has become wealthy. Our relationship has never been about his growing wealth. Likewise, there was a time in my life where many of my resources had to be liquidated.  Resources were tight. My friend was right there walking with me as a true friend. He did not pull away from me because my modest means were significantly reduced.

True relationships are built on qualities of trust, love and respect. There is common ground in matters of faith, family, work and hobbies. The relationship with my friend who has accumulated wealth has always been about following God together, being faithful and loving to our families, and working hard at the things God has given us to do.

One of the most disheartening things for parents is when children reduce their relationship to a money-based relationship. There is this faint hope that money will keep a child connected, but in the heart of every parent, they know this will not work.

Money really does not buy relationships. Money does not have the ability to maintain relationships.  Wealth, if managed right, can bless relationships, and if handled poorly, will hurt them.

Relationships are developed on much more valuable qualities than wealth. Qualities of love, forgiveness, honesty, grace and joy are what build true relationships. Relationships built on these qualities actually understand the meaning of the marriage commitment of standing together “for richer or poorer, until death parts us.”

Encouragement: Focus on relationships that walk with you through your life in good times and bad times. If some of your friends come into wealth, stand with them. If some of your friends come into poverty, stand with them.

Dear Father God,

Thank You for the clear reminder that relationships based on wealth will not work. True relationships reflect the kind of sacrificial love lived out by Your son, Jesus Christ. Please help us build and tend to our relationships in times of plenty and times of want.

In Jesus name, Amen

–Ed McDowell, Executive Director
Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center