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Dear Fred

I am in Christian work but find myself struggling with envy when around all the rich people who give money to our ministry. Can you help me?

Fred's Response

You are very brave to admit that you have envy of the rich people who support your ministry. I have never known envy to produce wealth. I think you may be making an erroneous assumption that you could be wealthy when you think that only a small percentage of the population is considered wealthy. You also make the assumption that being wealthy would make you happier, more Godly and more effective. When you consider the price that most of these people have paid to create this wealth it might not be a good tradeoff. Unless the money is inherited it has cost long hours, loss of family time and restriction in social life. I remember talking to Bob Dedman, Sr. founder of Country Clubs of America. He said that in the early years he purposely scheduled himself in for 80 hours of work until his business became successful. There have been some "overnight technology millionaires" in the last decade, but many of them are now experiencing the down side of instant paper wealth ---- instant paper improverishment. Before you become envious look at the whole picture, not just the lifestyle that you see as they have become mature donors. A healthier attitude would be admiration and thanksgiving for the support of your ministry. You are in your work because you believe deeply that you are called to Kingdom work with eternal value. Be careful that you aren't infected with the American disease of materialism.