The tragic death of Whitney Houston should serve as a reminder that wealth and fame don’t bring happiness. She was one of the greatest singers of our generation, and deserved the accolates and earned her fame and fortune. I still get goosebumps when I hear her majestic voice on “I Will Always Love You.”
But too many people think that if they make it big, if they win the lottery, if they become the next American Idol, then all their problems will magically disappear. With Whitney Houston and so many others, however, we see reaching the pinnacle of worldly achievement does not necessarily bring peace of mind, or solve all of our problems.
I oten think of words that Chris Carter, the NFL hall of famer, said during a question-and-answer session at the Armory Church in Toledo. Someone asked him how the money he made as a pro athlete changed his life. Carter, who is a devout Christian, replied that “Money just makes you more of what you already are.”
People who have character flaws will have those flaws magnified by their wealth. People who have a heart to help others will be able to use their money to do more good deeds. And so on and so on.
Our world is hung up on money, and understandably so. It has become an essential and integral part of our culture. But money is a tool, not an end in itself. We all need it, it can make life easier, but it won’t solve our deep-seated mental and spiritual problems.
