Wealth

Monetary excel is ultimately predominately the goal of many American. “I think it fair to say that the current ardor (emotion) if the American faith in money easily surpasses the degrees intensity achieved by other societies. (Lapham) Here he is establishing the different views of money globally. Americans take money for granted to be blunt. Life has seemed to turn into the materialistic; people are trying to roll around on 22s while many of our third world countries are filled with starving children, and people of all ages dying of diseases. Where are our priorities? “We are at a loss to know how to hold its majesty at bay…” (Lapham). I full agree with this statement. Money is a very powerful tool which we base our survival around. Without money our economy and society as we know it would become non existent. Americans priorities are not in tact when it comes to money which is the key thought of Lapham.

Wealth can be defined in many different terms globally. Traditionally wealth is viewed as having an abundance of money. Many people often mistake materialism as wealth. You can be broke, and own a Lamborghini, which would force you to live in you car; or you can hold a lot of money only purchasing your necessities. Do not infer that because one has nice things they have an abundance of money, materialism, and wealth are two different definition, however they do coincide with one another. Materialism is a way to display one’s “wealth (if this in fact could even be considered wealth), but what about our internal state? “The visible signs of wealth testify to an inward state of grace.” (Lapham) I don’t feel this statement reveals any truth. How one is internally in no means reflects the person they appear to be on the outside. Externally one could be drenched in the finest silk, but on the inside feel very alone with a void.
Money in this essay was represented in a way that it contained spiritual entities. Money in no way coincides with religion or spirituality. A man living in a landfill can be just as religious man living in the most beautiful palaces. Money does not determine your rank or who deserves to be spiritual. Spirituality is that personal relationship between oneself and that spiritual being. Who are we to put a price on that? “Balance the desire for wealth against the other claims of the human spirit.” Spirit knows no status. Money does not keep the spirit pure. Can you buy your way into Heaven?

Intellect and wealth don’t at all relate with one another. “In the United States a rich man is perceived as being necessarily good, and wise.” This statement is somewhat true, obviously because such a person has attained such an abundance of money infers he has either invested wisely, maturely monitoring his expenses. Or they could jus be people who hustle or do anything just for attention until they are paid just to bring undignified attention upon themselves for money.

We as American often do misinterpret the value of the dollar. We try to put a price on un materialistic things such as spirituality. I agree with Lapham that America has treated money in properly. As a nation we could invest wisely and help those surrounding nations that desperately need assistance. Where are our priorities?