In today’s society, we are constantly bombarded with messages of success, wealth, and fame. Everyone wants to be the next Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, or Jeff Bezos. We’re told to “dream big” and “work hard” so we too can live the good life—driving luxury cars, living in mansions, and sipping lattes on private jets. But what no one talks about is the cost of that dream, or even worse, the illusion behind it.
The truth is, not everyone will be rich. And not everyone is meant to be. There will always be a balance—master and servant, rich and poor, beautiful and plain, employer and employee. That balance may shift slightly from time to time, but it never disappears. The fantasy that we’ll all one day become millionaires is just that: a fantasy.
“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
— Proverbs 22:7
Even in supposedly democratic and progressive societies where monarchy has been “abolished,” a new royalty has quietly taken its place—the ultra-wealthy, the tech tycoons, the untouchables. People like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos don’t need to worry about recessions or inflation. They have the resources to wait out any storm. While the rest of us tighten our belts, they buy the storm and sell it back to us as a product.
The Fear Game
Companies, systems, and governments have created ways to control people through fear and dependency. Ever wonder why employers ask if you’re married, have kids, or a mortgage? It’s not just small talk—it’s a way to assess how far they can push you. If you have responsibilities, they know they can squeeze you harder. The silent threat is clear: “If you don’t do what I want, I’ll replace you. No job = no money = no family security.”
This is why many companies struggle with Generation Z. This generation is less tied down—many aren’t married, don’t have children, and aren’t willing to sacrifice their mental health or dignity for a paycheck. They question the system. They look for alternatives. And for that, they are feared and disliked. Because you can’t blackmail the free.
“You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.”
— 1 Corinthians 7:23
Illusion of Equality
We’re told we’re all equal. But look around. If we were truly equal, why are some people forced to work three jobs while others earn passive income from billion-dollar investments? Why are the rules different for the rich than they are for the poor?
“Again I saw all the oppression that is done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them!”
— Ecclesiastes 4:1
Democracy may give the appearance of fairness, but it’s often just smoke after a fire—a distraction from the devastation that’s already taken place. The illusion has worked well. So many people believe they are just one step away from greatness, and that belief keeps them working harder, longer, and with fewer complaints. All the while, the system tightens its grip.
The Way Forward: Thrive on Less Illusion
It’s time to wake up and see through the illusion. You don’t need to be the next billionaire or buy the newest car to thrive. Real power lies in contentment, community, and clarity. When you stop chasing illusions, you begin to live truthfully and intentionally.
“Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.”
— Proverbs 15:16
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
— 1 Timothy 6:6
Here’s how to begin:
- Learn to live within your means.
- Invest in relationships, not status.
- Seek truth over trends.
- Embrace the simple, not the showy.
Don’t chase the illusion. Chase the eternal.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
— Matthew 6:19–20
Thrive on Less 
Leave a comment