When Wealthy Men Become Gods
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“But if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.”— 1 Timothy 6:10 (The Message)
Over the weekend, the Wall Street Journal published an article about the exponential growth of billionaires in the US.1 It’s hard to wrap our minds around just how much wealth is concentrated in the hands of so few. Billionaires aren’t just growing in number—they are accumulating wealth at an astonishing rate, while millions struggle to afford healthcare, housing, and basic necessities. The richest 1% now own more wealth than the bottom 90% combined.
This didn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of public policy decisions—tax breaks for the wealthy, corporate loopholes, and cuts to programs that serve everyday people. Billionaires shouldn’t exist in a nation with public policies that protect the common good.
Oddly, when those in power talk about “fiscal responsibility,” they rarely suggest taxing the ultra-rich. Instead, they talk about cutting food assistance, housing support, and programs that help struggling families. We are being told that the problem is government spending—when in reality, the problem is who benefits from it.
Our scriptures have a lot to say about this. The prophets of the Hebrew Bible railed against societies that let the rich exploit the poor. Amos thundered, “You trample on the poor and force them to give you grain… you have built stone mansions but you will not live in them” (Amos 5:11). Jesus, too, spoke with urgency about the dangers of wealth that is hoarded instead of shared: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34).
The problem isn’t wealth itself—it’s what wealth does when it becomes an idol. When wealth is used to serve the common good, it can be a force for healing. But when it is worshiped—when it becomes the highest value in a society and those who control it are made into gods—it leads to greed, exploitation, and suffering. The early Christian communities understood this. The Book of Acts tells us that the first believers “shared everything they had… there were no needy persons among them” (Acts 4:32-35). They saw economic justice not as an afterthought, but as central to living out the Gospel.
Many spiritual traditions recognize that wealth, when disconnected from responsibility, can lead people astray. In Buddhism, attachment to wealth is seen as one of the root causes of suffering. In Judaism, the practice of tzedakah—righteous giving—is not charity but an obligation to justice. Islam’s zakat requires giving a portion of wealth to help those in need. Across traditions, the message is clear: wealth is meant to serve life, not control it.
What do we do in a world where the rules seem to be rigged for the rich to get richer? We reject the lie that this kind of inequality is normal, inevitable, or somehow ordained by God. We challenge the policies that prioritize corporate profits over people’s well-being. We advocate for fair wages, ethical business practices, and tax policies that reflect justice, not greed. And we commit ourselves to living in a way that reflects God’s economy—an economy of abundance, generosity, and care for one another.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
How do my personal choices and actions contribute to or challenge systemic economic inequalities?
In what ways can I advocate for public policies that promote economic justice in my community?
How does my faith or moral philosophy guide my understanding of wealth and responsibility to others?
A Prayer for the Day
A Call to Justice
O God of abundance,
You created a world where there is enough for all—
enough food, enough shelter, enough love.
Yet we have built a world of hoarding,
where a few feast while others are left hungry.
Awaken us to the suffering around us.
Give us the courage to name injustice.
Teach us to be generous, not just with our money,
but with our time, our advocacy, and our love.
May we remember that our worth is not in what we own,
but in how we love.
And may we work for a world where everyone has enough.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
The Economy of Enough
Today, pay attention to your relationship with money and possessions. Notice the small choices—where you shop, what you consume, how you spend your time.
Instead of making a purchase, consider giving that money to a cause that supports economic justice. If you have resources to share, look for opportunities to do so—whether it’s supporting a local food bank, advocating for fair wages, or simply practicing generosity in your daily interactions.
Then take time to reflect: What would it mean to live as if there is enough? Enough to share, enough to sustain, enough for all? In a culture of scarcity, choosing to believe in sufficiency is a radical act.
Let’s be people who live as if another world is possible—because it is.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
March 4, 11, 18, 25 2025, 7-8:30pm - Dr. Matthew Fox and I are scheming a Lenten series that we are calling “From Darkness to Dawn: Spiritual Courage and Political Action in the Age of MAGA.” Modern mystic, Mirabai Starr, will be our guest on March 4! Andrew Harvey on March 11! The amazing Bishop Yvette Flunder on March 18! Father Adam Bucko on March 25! REGISTER HERE!
March 4, 2025, 12pm ET - Rev. Damien Lake and I are collaborating on hosting a cohort for new congregation developers that will meet monthly. Ecumenical. Interfaith. Free. Join us.
April 1, 2025 - Rabbi Benjamin Ross and I are collaborating on a new leadership program called “All Together Now: A Collaborative Cohort for Jewish Congregational Leadership Teams.” You can read about the program here.
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more. Only one spot left!
August 11, 2025, 2pm ET - Dr. Andrew Root and I will be hosting a 6 part series on Spirituality in the Secular Age based on his research. The dates are August 11, 18, September 8, 15, and October 6, 13. Mark your calendars! More on this soon.
September 4, 4:30pm ET - I will be collaborating with the Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology to host a conversation with Thomas Jay Oord on Open and Relational theology. It’s a FREE event. Register here.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Register here!
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/meet-superbillionaires-worlds-ultra-rich-cb7a797c
It is clearly so that the love of wealth and power harms those infected with that particular affliction. Exponentially wider harm results for the millions (in the USA) and billions of people worldwide who are damaged or killed by the consequences of this disorder. We are all in This together; thanks be for Cameron’s counsel, and for the compassions - divine and human - stirred in response to all she has described here.
I so appreciate your courage in speaking truth to power and to call us to responsible Christian stewardship and citizenship. For the previous commenter, have him check out how MacKenzie Scott, ex-wife of Jeff Bezos, has used her money since leaving Bezos. She has committed to giving half of her $42 billion to charity and as of December 2022 had given $14 Billion to over 1600 organizations. And Melinda Gates who got 12.5 billion for charitable work as part of her separation agreement. I think it is good to mention some of the wealthy people like Bill Gates who do use some of their wealth for charity.