The past year has been marred by unbelievable scandals. I never considered him to be a profit but comedian and actor Katt Williams rightly predicted that lies would be exposed in 2024. He was right.
From faith to entertainment to politics and even real estate, some of the wealthiest people we know have been imbued with allegations of wrongdoing. The thread that connects many of the scandals is money and pride. Some of the high-profile figures accused of wrongdoing and caught up in scandals were very wealthy and possibly filled with pride.
Real estate brothers Tal, Oren and Alon Alexander were charged with sex trafficking and sexual assault. They were also very wealthy.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, once rumored to be a billionaire, has been accused of sexual assault, sex trafficking and other charges. He now sits in a Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, NY.
Robert Morris, former pastor of the Gateway Church, was accused of sexually abusing a child. He stepped down from his ministry as did several elders who are accused of covering up allegations against him.
These individuals are not anomalies. They are representative of a culture that idolizes money. They are also a harbinger of what could happen when one falls into pride.
To be clear, I am not suggesting that money is bad. It isn’t inherently good either. It is merely currency. Yet many in our society want to get more of it.
If you search “wealth” in Google, you are likely to find scores of articles, blogs and video content on how to make money, how to build wealth, and how to safeguard one’s wealth. Entire reality shows are built upon a person or family’s wealth, without consistently showing how they acquired that wealth. There is less content on how to look past wealth and discern a person’s character.
The truth is that wealth can be a veneer. It offers a fancy covering and a way to accentuate what is underneath. It elevates a person’s image, sometimes masking their true character. But too many times we ascribe noble characteristics on people simply because they have wealth. Wealth isn’t an indication of integrity, goodwill or morality. It just means a person has figured out how to market a product or brand.
It’s important to remember that predators who are wealthy may prey on those who aspire to be rich and those in financial lack. They target those who would like lifestyles similar to the rich and famous. For this reason, I wish there was less content online and in popular culture that idolizes wealth and the wealthy.
In 2025, we must be less concerned with a person’s outward presentation and more focused on the contents of their heart.
Jennifer R. Farmer is a public relations executive and bakery lover. See her other posts here