In 2014, 92-year-old Ronald Read passed away and surprised his small town by leaving $6 million to the local hospital and $2 million to the library. People were shocked because he had spent his life working as a gas station attendant and then as a janitor at JCPenney. No one knew he had acquired that amount of money because he lived a simple and quiet life and invested his money for many years.
In the book “The Psychology of Money,” Morgan Housel draws a powerful distinction between being rich and being wealthy.
Being rich is what other people see — the expensive car, the nice clothes and the exotic vacations. Being wealthy, however, is what people do not see — freedom, the margins and the options one has in life. In simple terms, rich is loud while wealthy is quiet. Housel observes people will say they want to be wealthy, but in reality they want to be rich so others can see them and be envious.
Rich vs. wealthy. This distinction is important.
Why? Because wealth is not about appearances but about preparation. Are we ready for what we might face, and do we have the resources to do what God desires? As Christians we are called to stewardship, not showmanship. Living a life of stewardship means we are ready to help and bless when the occasion arises.
Restraint, not indulgence
Housel states true financial wisdom is found in restraint, not indulgence. True wealth is not based on how much money you make but how much you save and what you do with it. Housel states “It’s what you don’t spend that builds real wealth.”
Being rich might feed our ego; being wealthy prepares us to serve.
Being rich might impress others; being wealthy allows you to bless others.
Being rich might buy you things; being wealthy brings you peace.
Being rich might make you feel secure for the moment; being wealthy gives you peace for tomorrow.
Your income does not determine if you are rich or wealthy, but how you save and plan ahead.
A person who earns little but saves faithfully may be wealthier, and more prepared to live generously, than someone with a huge salary and living beyond their means.
Housel observes that wealth is created in the gap between your ego and your income. If you want to be wealthy you need to decide to live not to impress, but to impact. To not strive for comfort alone, but for kingdom usefulness.
Saving money isn’t about hoarding, it’s about preparing. Saving isn’t about stockpiling, it’s about stewardship.
Saving gives us the flexibility to respond to what God wants us to do without being shackled by financial stress. Wealth, in the biblical sense, is not accumulation but freedom — the freedom to live wisely, give generously and trust God more than money.
Don’t chase riches; pursue the kind of quiet wealth God can use. Save with intention. Live content. Live without envy. Build a future that is ready to respond to God’s call at a moment’s notice and be ready when God calls.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Dan Summerlin and originally published by Kentucky Today.
