Wealth doesn’t confer character. It indicates you can monetize a product or skill.
By Jennifer R. Farmer
Like a lot of people, I have been blown away by the allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs and the raids at his properties in Miami, Los Angeles and possibly New York. In full disclosure, I worked on a small, two-week, writing project for him in 2020. Naturally, when I think about his current woes, I am horrified and saddened. It is true that Diddy has not been charged with a crime. And the continual allegations against him give reason for alarm.
This is one of those unfolding stories that I’ve been unable to stop following. As someone who tries to find the lesson in as many situations as possible, the matter involving Diddy offers a few reminders:
1. Wealth is not an Indicator of Character
Wealth is a demonstration that a person has found a way to monetize a certain product or skill. But wealth is not synonymous with character. Neither is having a large platform. I tell myself not to idolize people because they have wealth and not to confer on wealthy individuals, attributes they haven’t earned. In Psalms 49:16-20, the psalmist says “Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. Though while they live they count themselves blessed – and people praise you when you prosper – they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life.” We should celebrate people for being honorable – not because they’re rich.
2. Your Association Will Always Impact You
When we surround ourselves with the wrong people, we will not go unscathed. If the allegations against Diddy are true, think about the people in his orbit who will be impacted solely based on their connection with him and any wrongdoing they may have committed while working with him. The same cloud that hangs over his head now hangs over theirs, regardless of whether they were named in civil lawsuits involving him. Our associations will always impact us. And we can’t be so prideful to think that we are the exception or that we can sidestep the problematic behaviors.
3. We Are Often Ensnared by Our Own Devices
This unfortunate matter involving Diddy is a reminder that we will be ensnared by our own devices. It’s easy to blame others. But in the end, we are responsible for our lives and our choices. Often it is these choices that will cause our downfall or our success. In Psalm 9:16, the psalmist says “The LORD is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.” In other words, the way that we consistently live our lives and the decisions we make will be our downfall or our on-ramp to opportunity.
4. The Matter Involving Diddy is an Opportunity to Recommit to End Sex Trafficking
One of the allegations against Diddy is around sex trafficking. Sex trafficking is one of those evils that is difficult to confront and openly discuss. For persons who have their own history of sexual trauma, conversations around sex trafficking can be triggering. And I fear that the people involved in sex trafficking advocacy likely have had a family member impacted by it or they themselves were impacted by it. But I don’t know if we can end it in our life time if more of us don’t get involved. As a society, I hope we commit to work collaboratively to end this evil that destroys lives and communities.