When I was a child, my father often reminded me, “Son, our family is not wealthy. If you want something in life, you must work hard to earn money. With wealth, you’ll have everything!” Those words became the cornerstone of my dreams. I vowed to find a profession that would earn me enough money to provide my family with a good life.
As I grew older, I started working to fulfill this dream. After finishing school, I took up jobs as a restaurant trainee and a warehouse worker in a chemical factory. The work was exhausting, but seeing my earnings grow made me feel that all the toil was worth it. Later, with the help of a relative, I secured a job at a clothing company. My boss told me, “If you work hard, you’ll soon be able to buy a car and a house.” Motivated by his words, I poured my heart into my job.
However, as time passed, I realized that hard work alone wasn’t enough. I struggled to secure contracts, and a manager once told me, “In this world, being willing to work hard isn’t enough; you also need to build personal connections.” His words struck me hard. I was an introvert, uncomfortable with networking. Yet, I knew I needed to adapt if I wanted to succeed.
To fit in, I began learning how to socialize strategically. I gave gifts to managers, treated clients to dinners and karaoke, and maintained relationships through relentless efforts. One evening, I took a client out for dinner in another city and ended up drinking far too much. Back at the hotel, I vomited uncontrollably. My body was in pain, but my heart hurt even more. I thought about how much I had to compromise my values and health just to make money. I had become someone I barely recognized.
The Weight of Success
Two years later, I had achieved what I had once dreamed of—I owned both a car and a house. Yet, I felt no joy. The pressure of work was unrelenting, and my temper grew shorter. I often took out my frustration on my family. Laughter disappeared from our home, replaced by cold silence. My heart felt increasingly empty.
One day, while driving to a public auction with my wife, the car skidded on the wet highway. I slammed on the brakes, but we crashed into the roadside barrier, leaving one side of the car teetering over a steep drop. Thankfully, we were unharmed, but the incident shook me deeply. I kept asking myself, “If I had died, what would all this money have been worth? I have everything I thought I needed, but why do I feel so empty and miserable?”
A Divine Encounter
In October 2010, my wife and I were introduced to God’s teachings. I read these words:
“Is the world truly the place for your rest? Can fleeting pleasures truly cover the emptiness in your heart, the emptiness that cannot be concealed?”
These words pierced my heart. I realized that my constant pursuit of wealth was a hollow attempt to fill an emptiness only God could satisfy. I had spent years living by principles like “Money is everything” and “Happiness comes from wealth.” But chasing money had left me exhausted, lonely, and unfulfilled.
God’s words gave me a new perspective:
“All created beings derive the source of their life from God. Without God’s care, maintenance, and provision, man cannot receive what he is meant to have, no matter how hard he struggles or how much effort he makes.”
I finally understood that my struggles were rooted in living for wealth rather than for God. True peace and happiness come from relying on God, not from the size of our bank account.
Living with Purpose
Shortly after this realization, a client approached me for a business deal without any effort on my part. Unlike before, I didn’t try to flatter or bribe them. Instead, I presented myself sincerely and left the rest to God. To my amazement, the client signed the contract and made an advance payment. I knew this was God’s blessing, showing me that I didn’t need to compromise my values to succeed.
Gradually, I stopped attending the draining social events that once dominated my life. Instead, I spent time with my family and deepened my connection with God. The migraines that had plagued me subsided, my temper improved, and my relationships with my wife and children flourished. Laughter returned to our home, and my heart was filled with peace and joy.
The True Meaning of Life
Looking back, I see how enslaved I was to the pursuit of wealth. I traded my health, dignity, and precious time with my family for money, only to realize it could never bring true happiness. God showed me that life’s greatest treasure isn’t material wealth—it’s living in alignment with His will.
Today, I no longer live for money. Instead, I trust God’s guidance in all things. My life is richer than ever, not because of material possessions, but because of the peace, purpose, and love I’ve found in God.
This story is a reminder that true freedom and joy come not from the things we own, but from the One who created us. When we let go of worldly anxieties and embrace God’s love, we discover a life far more fulfilling than anything wealth can offer.