Solomon prayed, “Two things I ask of you, LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and show dishonor to the name of my God.” (Proverbs 30:8)
This verse clearly reveals that the happy place when it comes to money is neither super-rich or adversely poor. Although we know there are exceptions, there are very specific vulnerabilities and temptations when we live in adverse poverty and maybe even more if we are wealthy. According to Solomon, neither poor or rich is the happy place.
I am so convinced of this, I have encouraged my children to be satisfied with seeking a middle or upper-middle class life. This gives us the opportunity to have the resources to live a secure life, provide a safety net for the people we care about, and give to our church and charitable causes. It’s good for our pocketbooks and our souls.