Despite being an acclaimed and well-known actor, for 55-year-old Will Smith, all his fame and wealth do not guarantee total happiness. Interviewed by American magazine Complex, he spoke about his relationship with money, stating that he “had money, then lost it, and then gained it again”, more than he ever imagined.
The interviewer mentioned that the actor’s fortune is estimated at $350 million (over £269 million). Smith reflected that “once you’ve bought everything you want and there’s literally nothing else on earth you want to buy, you realise that none of it can satisfy you.”
“I’m at a stage in life that can be really scary, when you realise that no relationship, money, or even kids can make you truly happy anymore. It’s like a full internal contact with your soul’s dark knight and you accept that you must be happy here [pointing to his heart]. You have to be happy without any of these things. You have to bring happiness to the people you love,” he concludes.
Let’s not be hypocrites and say that money is not important, but although it is necessary, it should not be our main focus. After all, money alone cannot fulfil anyone’s life. This topic was also addressed by King Solomon, who in addition to possessing unique wisdom, prospered like no other man:
“Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure…” (Ecclesiastes 2:10).
“Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 2:17).
“It’s common for people to strive to acquire something that their heart desires, whether it be material goods, a better job or the completion of personal projects. The path to achievement brings satisfaction, but after that goal is conquered, the feeling that remains is of a trophy stored on a shelf. This means that human beings can only feel complete with the Almighty”, reflects Bishop Macedo, founder of the Universal Church.
Our focus should be on eternity and on having God as the source of our joy and satisfaction. Everything in this life is temporary, and if your heart is set on anything material, your peace and the salvation of your soul are at constant risk.
The Lord Jesus Himself taught this through a parable in which He called “fool” a man who thought he had many years ahead to enjoy his wealth (see Luke 12:16-21).
“Only a foolish person would think that their soul could be satisfied with the acquisition of earthly goods and even boast that they have many years ahead to enjoy the pleasures and banquets of this world. The rich man in the parable was ready to live and have fun, but he was not ready to die. Nothing is more valuable in this world than our soul. The body is perishable, but the soul lives eternally. Whoever ignores this reality commits irreparable foolishness. The Scriptures make it clear that each person is responsible for preparing themselves for eternity. Gathering wealth in this world and not caring about acquiring spiritual treasures means being left with nothing in eternity,” concludes Bishop Macedo.
Would you like to invest in your relationship with God? Join us this Sunday at 10am at the Cathedral of Miracles – 232 Seven Sisters Rd, N4 3NX – or at your nearest Universal Church.
Source: https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/brad-callas/will-smith-meaning-of-life-360-with-speedy
