This reminds me of Tolstoy's short story "How much land does a man need?" That human desire for just...a little bit...more...is a deeply-rooted one, I think.
On a personal note, our family of 8 lives in 1500 square feet of space. Would a little more be awesome? Definitely. But I try to be content with what we have because when I am being completely honest with myself (and not influenced by the house-porn of Instagram) it really, truly is...enough.
My husband and I started our marriage in a ~650 square foot studio and then had our first kid there. It really is enough space, even with a toddler. Sure, a playroom and an office would be nice but let's be real, we're on the couch or the dinner table most of the time anyways.
Love this. My husband and I discuss this regularly. I want to live in the middle. Don’t want too much (sounds stressful 😂) and also don’t want too little… gotta pay them bills and maintain what we’ve been given!
Also, I agree on the formatting. I actually went back and edited my last substack after reading one of yours, because the formatting did such a good job of showcasing your work. 👏🏼
Griffin, really enjoyed this read. Especially the Bruno Mars song (Philosopher's Remix) ... LOL.
Honestly, for whatever reason, I oftentimes find myself demonizing wealth, perhaps because I am truly scared of what it could do to me if I became hyperfixated upon it. Thus, my ideal life is to start a family and live someplace simple and comfortable but not extravagant.
Anyways, I think that sometimes I really need to give the wealthy/ultra-wealthy some grace based on my negative thoughts towards them.
A. They can do some really great things with their wealth if they practice radical generosity.
B. Like you mentioned, they are probably miserable, so frowning down upon them does not help them (or my own heart) at all. Only the loving-kindness of Jesus can give them (and me) what they (and I) need.
My pride in living what I believe is a healthy, rich life can quickly cause me to judge and disdain others. It's soooo incredibly necessary for me to go back to the Lord again and again and ask Him to humble me as I meditate upon John 3:30 often.
I totally feel you on that first part. I became a Christian in church circles that vilified wealth of ostentatious displays of richness, and it’s taken me a long time to realize and get comfortable with the fact that wealth can be an effective tool for the disciplined Christian. But it’s definitely an area I’m still growing in! Blessings to you, friend!
I never encountered unbelievable wealth until I went to law school, where I knew (not closely) several people whose parents were billionaires. I can’t say anything about that lifestyle appeals to me. There’s a reason none of them seem happy.
To paraphrase Joseph Heller, true wealth is knowing when you have enough.
Fascinating--this alternate perspective on what it's really like to have that much money has me thinking about the current cultural trend of dehumanizing billionaires. Last year when the Titan submersible imploded (I was so riveted by that story!!!), or with the recent sinking of the mega yacht off the coast of Italy, there was so much snark online that made it seem like dying a horrible death was okay or even laughable since it happened to super rich people. Ties in with the schadenfreude topic of your recent essay as well.
Hahaha oh no I hope this post doesn’t fit in the genre of dehumanizing billionaires or the ultra rich. When I posted this article on instagram a few years ago it got shared around a bunch and then I got a lot of random DM’s from people who felt like I was being elitist against billionaires so I tried to edit it this time around with that in mind.
Thanks!! I actually wrote this back when I was super into Axios. They had this book called Smart Brevity that was basically a guide for how to write engaging online content and I reaaaalllyyy took their advice to heart haha.
I remember receiving $40G through a particular circumstance (all legal). The pressure to use it in a godly way was enormous. I cannot imagine getting life-changing amounts like that. It would not be comfortable
This reminds me of Tolstoy's short story "How much land does a man need?" That human desire for just...a little bit...more...is a deeply-rooted one, I think.
On a personal note, our family of 8 lives in 1500 square feet of space. Would a little more be awesome? Definitely. But I try to be content with what we have because when I am being completely honest with myself (and not influenced by the house-porn of Instagram) it really, truly is...enough.
Gosh the house porn of Instagram will really get you. I’m so happy you liked the article though :)
My husband and I started our marriage in a ~650 square foot studio and then had our first kid there. It really is enough space, even with a toddler. Sure, a playroom and an office would be nice but let's be real, we're on the couch or the dinner table most of the time anyways.
Great read, as always!
That’s such a beautiful way to look at it! So happy you liked it :)
Love this. My husband and I discuss this regularly. I want to live in the middle. Don’t want too much (sounds stressful 😂) and also don’t want too little… gotta pay them bills and maintain what we’ve been given!
Also, I agree on the formatting. I actually went back and edited my last substack after reading one of yours, because the formatting did such a good job of showcasing your work. 👏🏼
So happy you liked it!! And that’s great to know that you liked the formatting as well!!
Griffin, really enjoyed this read. Especially the Bruno Mars song (Philosopher's Remix) ... LOL.
Honestly, for whatever reason, I oftentimes find myself demonizing wealth, perhaps because I am truly scared of what it could do to me if I became hyperfixated upon it. Thus, my ideal life is to start a family and live someplace simple and comfortable but not extravagant.
Anyways, I think that sometimes I really need to give the wealthy/ultra-wealthy some grace based on my negative thoughts towards them.
A. They can do some really great things with their wealth if they practice radical generosity.
B. Like you mentioned, they are probably miserable, so frowning down upon them does not help them (or my own heart) at all. Only the loving-kindness of Jesus can give them (and me) what they (and I) need.
My pride in living what I believe is a healthy, rich life can quickly cause me to judge and disdain others. It's soooo incredibly necessary for me to go back to the Lord again and again and ask Him to humble me as I meditate upon John 3:30 often.
I totally feel you on that first part. I became a Christian in church circles that vilified wealth of ostentatious displays of richness, and it’s taken me a long time to realize and get comfortable with the fact that wealth can be an effective tool for the disciplined Christian. But it’s definitely an area I’m still growing in! Blessings to you, friend!
Browsed extravagant Zillow last night…🙋🏼♀️😅
Thought-provoking, as always, Griffin!!
Hahaha thanks Lindsey!!
I never encountered unbelievable wealth until I went to law school, where I knew (not closely) several people whose parents were billionaires. I can’t say anything about that lifestyle appeals to me. There’s a reason none of them seem happy.
To paraphrase Joseph Heller, true wealth is knowing when you have enough.
Love that Joseph Heller quote 🙌
Fascinating--this alternate perspective on what it's really like to have that much money has me thinking about the current cultural trend of dehumanizing billionaires. Last year when the Titan submersible imploded (I was so riveted by that story!!!), or with the recent sinking of the mega yacht off the coast of Italy, there was so much snark online that made it seem like dying a horrible death was okay or even laughable since it happened to super rich people. Ties in with the schadenfreude topic of your recent essay as well.
Hahaha oh no I hope this post doesn’t fit in the genre of dehumanizing billionaires or the ultra rich. When I posted this article on instagram a few years ago it got shared around a bunch and then I got a lot of random DM’s from people who felt like I was being elitist against billionaires so I tried to edit it this time around with that in mind.
No no, not at all! I don't think it's elitist whatsoever--my point was that your piece is a bit more sympathetic.
Ahh ok well that’s good 😅 guess I shouldn’t have read that comment so self-consciously
classic writer pitfall! 😂
Excellent point and well-written!
The formatting (bold text, bullet points, etc.) was helpful, too.
Thanks!! I actually wrote this back when I was super into Axios. They had this book called Smart Brevity that was basically a guide for how to write engaging online content and I reaaaalllyyy took their advice to heart haha.
Great post Griffin!
Held my attention all the way through the article and very relatable thoughts when it comes to this topic about the extremely wealthy.
Keep up the great work and enjoy it!
I remember receiving $40G through a particular circumstance (all legal). The pressure to use it in a godly way was enormous. I cannot imagine getting life-changing amounts like that. It would not be comfortable
(Is that sour grapes? I don’t think so.)
Very well written article! A much needed reminder that possessions are not the sum total of one’s “wealth”.
On the contrary, as you so clearly articulated, the obsessive pursuit of money can actually rob of life’s richest blessings.
Absolutely. Happy you liked it!!