Wealth: Not Just Money

“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” stated by Timothy in the bible (Timothy). This quote amplifies the idea that money isn’t everything in life. The usual definition for wealth is an abundance of money (Dictionary.com). Monetary or materialistic items are most often associated with the concept of wealth and being wealthy. But this is just a cliché connotation. It is a true connotation, but it is not always correct. Wealth has many other meanings to explore and consider that have nothing to do with money or materialistic styles. After thinking in depth about the many different meanings of wealth, I have come across quite a few that are completely nonmonetary and apply to everyday life for everyone.
Money is the easiest and most well-known definition for wealth. Money is a huge aspect of a person’s life. An abundance of money or treasured objects all applies to this concept. Wealth can be thought of as a level of materialism in people and families all around the world. It is kind of a defining word where either a person falls into a ‘yes’ category or a ‘no’ category. Wealth differs from person to person even in the same country. Some people may be considered wealthy by other people or a society while others may be considered not wealthy by the same people and society. The average salary of a US citizen is about fifty one thousand dollars (U.S. Median). The highest salary in the United States for normal jobs is over is over one million dollars (The Top 20). The average and highest salaries are from completely different ballparks.
As person to person differs from each other, countries from all around the world do as well. Country wealth is more complicated than a normal person’s wealth, but it is still a similar situation. Many countries are thought of as wealthy, and some are not. Well-developed countries usually try to aid countries not as fortunate. For example, in 2013, Qatar was named the richest country in the world while the Democratic Republic of Congo was named the poorest (Global). Also, the forty percent of the world’s poorest population accounts for five percent of global revenue while the richest twenty percent accounts for three-quarters of world revenue (Poverty Facts). Some countries even pile themselves into national debts and inflation. As of right now, the national deficit for the United States is over seventeen trillion dollars (U.S. National)!
Despite the monetary approach to wealth, it can also be used to describe a person’s intellectual capacity. An abundance of knowledge could be defined as a wealthy intellect. IQ is a usual way to measure a person’s knowledge. The average IQ score is about eighty five to one hundred points (IQ). IQ scores have a huge spread, and IQ can affect their school and career success. School success impacts career success which affects income as well, so IQ has, essentially, a domino effect on a person’s life.
Intellect wealth can also affect a person’s relationships with other people. “Contrary to popular belief, the higher your IQ, the more likely you're socially smart,” says the University of Delaware (Bhasin). In theory, people with a higher intellect could have an easier time being social than someone with a below average IQ. Intellect affects everything, not just school and career success.
Apart from materialism and intellectual wealth, having people to talk to is an insanely fulfilling feeling. A person who has lots, or an abundance, of people they can rely on and turn to is a great thing to have in life. Being wealthy in the context of friends and family is definitely more important than monetary wealth. “The love of family and the admiration of friends is much more important than wealth and privilege,” quoted by Charles Kuralt (Charles). Family will always be there. They are a crucial part of life, and we will have them forever. Friends can come and go, but they always have each other’s back. An abundance of people to trust and be comfortable around is much more fulfilling than the usual wealth definition.
Being wealthy with friends and family creates a support system every person needs. “A lot of emotional stress that people go through, some people figure out a way to handle it. They have a strong enough support system to keep going and keep moving forward. And some people, they feel like they don't have that outlet,” said by Terrell Owens (Terrell). With that quote, it is stated that a support system is imperative. When life troubles bring people down, a support system of friends and family can make it easier.
On the flip side, wealth is not poverty, however, that is just the antonym of the dictionary definition (Dictionary.com). Money can’t just fix poverty. P.J. O'Rourke put it into perspective by saying, “You can't get rid of poverty by giving people money,” (Poverty quotes). Poverty can be wealth, though. In the context of intellect or a support system, someone living in poverty could be considered wealthy by their peers. Poverty stricken people may not have the extent of money as a wealthy class does, but they could have more. Supportive people and intellect can mean much more than just money and materialism.
The world is focused on money and having the most as possible. Countries try to make as much money as they can to be wealthy, but wealth is more than materialism. People within the same country often compete to be wealthier when wealth can be considered in other contexts. People living in poverty can be thought of as wealthy, considering the impact of the support family and friends offer them. Their intellect can also change how they are looked upon in society. A wealthy mind and a supportive family are worth more than any amount of money.


Works Cited
"1 Timothy 6:10 For the Love of Money Is a Root of All Kinds of Evil. Some People, Eager for Money, Have Wandered from the Faith and Pierced Themselves with Many Griefs." 1 Timothy 6:10 For the Love of Money Is a Root of All Kinds of Evil. Some People, Eager for Money, Have Wandered from the Faith and Pierced Themselves with Many Griefs. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
Bhasin, Eric Goldschein and Kim. "11 Uncomfortable Facts About How IQ Affects Your Life." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 22 Nov. 2011. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
"Charles Kuralt Quote." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
"Global Finance Magazine - The World's Richest and Poorest Countries." Recent GFM Updates RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
"IQ Scores - Average IQ Score at IQ Test Center." IQ Scores - Average IQ Score at IQ Test Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
"Poverty Facts and Stats." - Global Issues. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
"Poverty Quotes and Sayings." Poverty Quotes and Sayings. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
"Terrell Owens Quote." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
"The Top 20 Highest-paying Jobs." The Top 20 Highest-paying Jobs. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
"U.S. Median Income Flat in 2013 as Poverty, Uninsured Dip Slightly -Census." Reuters. Thomson Reuters, 14 Sept. 0009. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
"U.S. National Debt Clock." U.S. National Debt Clock. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
"Wealth Definition." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.