Is it bad to be AFRAID of success?

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Walterross

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Hi everyone. My question is, is it wrong to want success in life? I ask this because I’ve been troubled in finding out what to do with my life. I’m in college and am rather undecided on what direction to go. I can always settle for a simple major that I like, but will not have many jobs. I will probably have to settle for a job that anybody else could have done and be accepting of that. Or should I major in something a bit “better” per se, like law school and go through the grind of that and get a better career? I know with a “better” career, there is better pay. I guess my question is… is it bad to be wealthy or well off? I’ve heard the bible verse that it is extremely hard for a rich man to enter heaven. Is that ALWAYS the case though? Or would it be more about SELFISH rich men? That would make more sense, as greed would be an obstacle from getting into heaven. I grew up in a family that was just making it by. I was raised with a little brother by a single mother who had breast cancer, but she had good degrees and a decent paying job, so we made it by. We were not rich by any means, but we always had food on the table and a roof over our head. Is it wrong to want something better than that for my future family, wife and kids? If I was wealthy, I would make sure to use it for the well being of my family, and to give to others, in charities etc… I would not glorify it and I would use it for good when I could. IF I did make it, and became a successful lawyer or whatever, does it make me more prone to going to hell, just because I have a good living?
 
First, do NOT go to law school unless you really seriously want to be a lawyer and put a lot of effort into being one. It is not an “all purpose degree” and I think the profession would be better off if the number of law schools were reduced by about 2/3.

Second, no it is not wrong to want to do the best you can for your family, as long as money doesn’t become your main purpose in life to the point where you are neglecting spending time with your wife and kids in favor of working all the time, or becoming so competitive with other people that money and success are all you care about. Just remember that when Mother Angelica is getting the “miracle” she prayed for of somebody suddenly sending her a huge donation to pay for her new TV transmitter or whatever that was, the rich man who made the donation had to make the money in order to be in a position for the Holy Spirit to inspire him to write the check, same as how Joseph of Arimathea had to make some money in order to have that new tomb that he donated for Jesus to spend three days in.

Having said all that, be aware that having money does make your salvation more complicated in some ways even while it’s making other things perhaps easier. You may find after you’ve chased it for a while, it doesn’t look like much fun any more. Be careful not to develop an extravagant lifestyle that you can’t get out of. I do realize that many good things that cost money, such as cars that run and good schools for the kids, are way expensive, so it’s not always a case of rich people wasting money - some of them are genuinely just trying to have a reasonably decent life and not have to worry about every dime.
 
I’ve always enjoyed politics growing up so I went into Political Science as well as Sociology. But I really do believe God is calling me to help young adult guys struggling with pornography and masturbation. I have given talks on these as well as written on them and I would like to do this after college as well. So I am hoping God let’s me know how I may follow His calling to help young adults!

I used to think about law school but as I study Political Science which I do enjoy and excel in, I find it’s all too burocratic for me. I want to serve God by fighting the hookup culture and the culture of death to bring forth new life and the mercy of Jesus!
 
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The only real “rule” about money practiced regularly by the masses is tithing. The church simplifies your giving to up to 10% of your earnings. Of course, I’ve wondered if it’s ok to give that much in total to charity with a small portion going to the church basket on Sundays. There are a lot of non-governmental agencies I’ve supported in the past.

Im a wikipedian and edit articles sometimes dealing with Catholicism. I also donate to Wikipedia to keep that part of religious content for others to read online. So, maybe I’m doing my part, but just know that being an insurance salesperson and also being a Eucharistic minister is holy. Take a peek at what volunteer positions they have open.
 
Tis_Bearself said:
some of them are genuinely just trying to have a reasonably decent life and not have to worry about every dime
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That’s the way I want to live. I know what it’s like to not be completely well off and having to struggle from time to time, but I don’t want my future kids to go through the same thing, if I can help it.
 
I understand your points man. Honestly the biggest reason I want to be a lawyer is because I would be good at it and it would make me a decent living. If I just did what I wanted I would be a music major but there’s hardly money in that. I do admire what you’re doing, because it is definitely needed, especially in the college culture! Keep on keeping on bro.
 
Me thinks consistency is more enduring than success. Find something that pays decent and you have the energy and the ability to do it well. For an enduring period of time.
Taking risks is highly overrated even if it may bring sudden wealth or quick wealth. For every dime you make there is a tax. Seen or unseen. So constantly making money and consequently the comstant work is more enduring than one big hit or a few big hits.
To answer your question - no, it is not wrong to question and be afraid of “success” because a sudden big win can give the illusion that you are all set when you are not. It is natural instinct imho. If it sounds too good to be true…then maybe it is so.
God bless!
 
It is not wrong to be afraid of success. It is pretty understandable to be afraid of what money can do to you. But, don’t let that fear keep you from doing what is best for your family.

To be honest, I am also a bit afraid of success. I am mostly worried that my children will end up posh from my honest efforts at doing what I think is best for them and that I will not be able to relate to them as a result.
 
Have you ever noticed how the more room you have the more stuff you fill it with? It’s the same with money, the more you have the more financial commitments you tend to accrue. If you can earn well but keep,those commitments to a minimum then you’ll find it pays.

I chased money when I was young, worst time of my life, because I had no life it was all work. I had no time to enjoy my family and if I did have some spare time I was exhausted.

So compromise is a good idea and don’t over commit yourself to long term financial burdens. Rise slowly but steadily and enjoy life that God has given you along the way. That’s my advice.
 
Speaking from experience, unless you have some serious connections and direction, political science is a truly worthless degree to obtain. You’d be just as well off with an associates in almost any situation.
 
That happened a little with my eldest, not through my efforts but through his academic efforts. However after a few years he realised he was wrong to look down on his family and he’s fine now. I was a bit concerned for a while though.
 
As long as you do honest work and honest business practices, and don’t let making big money be your end goal, there’s nothing wrong with making a good living. You can provide security for your family, support your parish, pay taxes, and support the poor and sick through charitable giving. As others have said, don’t get caught up in extravagant living.
Whatever career choice you make, learn to live below your means. Pay yourself first by saving and learning to invest without paying high fees. Remember to give. Keep your focus on your faith in God, your spouse, your kids and other family.
 
redbetta said:
To be honest, I am also a bit afraid of success. I am mostly worried that my children will end up posh from my honest efforts at doing what I think is best for them and that I will not be able to relate to them as a result.
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A big fear of mine as well!
 
I am glad your son came to his senses. Ironically, going into higher education has made me more rough around the edges and less posh. That’s probably just me rebeling against the rich kid culture at my school.
 
What I’m planning on doing is introducing my kids from an early age to the things I enjoyed as a kid and still enjoy so that at least one thing could take hold and we can bond over that. I had a classmate who bonded with her parents over Star Wars and 70’s music and I thought that was so sweet.
 
When I went through RCIA two years ago, we were told to give what we felt comfortable with. Tithing is a guideline we can use, with 5% going to the church and 5% to charity. But there was no “rule.”
 
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