China's Richest Man Says He Was Happier before Wealth

Jack Ma, China’s richest man, said in a speech this year that he was happier working as a teacher for $12 a month than he is now as a billionaire. Ma’s company, Alibaba, was valued at $25 billion when it was listed on the New York Stock Exchange last September. In a speech before the Economics Club in New York City, he spoke about the burden of being ultra-rich. He said that when you reach $10 million, “you’ve got troubles” (“Jack Ma, China’s richest man, was happier earning $12 a month,” Business Insider, Jun. 9, 2015). Ma told CNBS that there is a lot of pressure that comes with the responsibility of great wealth. The Bible says: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world,and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:6-10). The Bible also says, “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven” (Proverbs 23:5).

(Friday Church News Notes, August 21, 2015, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)

---