The penthouse suite was at the very top of the high-rise. -- Image by Matthew Howell on Unsplash
A Modern Retelling of "The Rich Young Ruler"
Gregory Miles had everything money could buy - and more than a few things money shouldn't. After a brutal but successful divorce (thank you, airtight prenup), he kept the penthouse, the sports cars, the wine cellar, and enough stocks to retire twice. He told everyone he was "living his best life."
Besides the giant penthouse, encompassing the entire top floor of the high-rise, there was a massive yacht in the harbor in his private slip. Even though there was a Ferrari and a Hummer in the garage, Gregory often would just rent a Rolls-Royce limousine and a chauffeur to get around in town.
How could life not be good? Yet, the Ferrari and a Hummer just collected dust, the only action the massive yacht gets is barnacle removal, and the limousine service feels ghosted.
But sitting across from his therapist, Dr. Karen Ellis, Gregory frowned. "Doc, I should be happy. I've got more money than I'll ever need, things so great that people cannot even dream of, and look out of my deck in the penthouse at the harbor and the Florida coast. But I wake up and feel… empty. Why?"
Karen nodded. She'd heard versions of this before — the curse of abundance. They discussed the recent events in his life. His excessive abundance. That thought that he needed to make a change.
Dr. Ellis stated, "Maybe it's time to change your lifestyle. Downsize, you don't need all of this, and you have reached a point in life where age is working against you. This would be a good time to use some of that excess money to help people who need it. You could donate to…"
Gregory cut her off and chuckled, shaking his head. "Why in the world would I do that? I have worked hard my whole life. I have earned this life. Besides, helping others is what those massive taxes I pay are for." He checked his diamond-studded, gold-plated smartphone, commented about an important meeting, and ended the session early.
Who would have thought a seriously wealthy, self-made billionaire would make a lame excuse to get out of an uncomfortable session?
Later that week, Karen attended a national therapy conference at a hotel ballroom in Denver. Over burnt coffee and mini muffins, she posed the question during a roundtable:
"I have a client. Extremely wealthy. More money than anyone could ever spend. Feels empty, but refuses the suggestion to downsize and use the extra money to help the less fortunate. That would be the feel-good moment he might need. What would you say?"
The room buzzed. A gray-haired therapist with suspenders raised his hand. "I tell you from experience, it would be easier to pick up this entire hotel and throw it across the street than to change the mind of a man like that."
Karen, with a silly, sarcastic look, "Nah, Gregory would probably hire building movers for it."
Laughter rippled all around the roundtable. Another therapist chimed in: "Here is my suggestion, you don't start by telling someone to give away millions. You start small. Like buying coffee for a stranger or paying it forward, leave some money to pay for the people behind you. Then maybe a bigger act. The point isn't the amount — it's breaking the grip that money has on him."
Karen scribbled notes, shaking her head. "Getting some great ideas here, but I know the person way too well; he would never get in a line, it would be delivered to him, and absolutely, call that a waste of five dollars."
The group shared knowing smiles. Wealth could buy nearly anything — except the willingness to let it go.
Back in his penthouse, Gregory sat alone, outside on his deck, pouring a glass of aged scotch, scrolling endlessly on his phone. His accounts were full. His calendar was empty. And the silence of his luxury apartment was deafening.
Far below him, he could hear the faint laughter and playful noises of the kids playing in the park. A park that needed a lot of repairs and updating. Yet, there he sat, sipping on his $1,000 bottle of scotch, looking at his diamond-studded, gold-plated smartphone and the emptiness. A feeling wrenched at his gut. He looked down at the park again and thought to himself, "Perhaps, a change is just what I need…"
Based on Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31, Luke 18:18-30
Synopsis:
A wealthy man asked Jesus what he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus told him to give up his riches and follow him — but the man walked away sorrowful, unwilling to let go. This modern retelling highlights how wealth can imprison as much as it enriches. True freedom doesn't come from what we keep, but from what we're willing to give away.
Tap to read the actual bible passage:
Matthew's Story of The Rich Young Ruler
Mark's Story of The Rich Young Ruler
Luke's Story of The Rich Young Ruler
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