Is it more Important to be ethical and moral or wealthy?

Question

I have a situation that allowed me the opportunity to become fabously wealthy, but it will required me to forget my ethics and moral's. I think i know what i should do, but am looking for some devil's advocate's

Answer 1

W/out doubt it is better to be ethical/moral, even if you don't believe in an absolute moral standard or set of standards. Empirically, one need go no further than Hollywood, lotto winners, and the new generation of inherited wealth to see that $$$ has little or nothing to do with happiness. The extremely wealthy who also seem to have a sense of happiness have almost w/out exception earned their wealth or at least been responsible in the acquisition and use of said wealth. As no one (well, few) actually care about the paper or metal that represents wealth, we can assume that what that wealth provides is the key to using money to attain happiness. This being the case, undeserved wealth or wealth attained in a morally unacceptable fashion would initiate an internal struggle that would continue as you sought to buy your happiness but failed to achieve any type of satisfaction or sense of accomplishment.

Answer 2

The fact that you even claim to HAVE ethics and morals
is key here. Many do not even know the meaning of the
words. Being "fabulously wealthy" is a very quick fix. Once
the initial thrill is over, life goes on as usual albeit with a
few more toys. Would you really want to ride around in
a Rolls carrying all that guilt? Making the right decision
here will give you a lot of moral fortitude and strength to
make more important decisions in the future.

Answer 3

as the devil's advocate: take the opportunity now and benefit from the money...so long as you don't use the extra money for an immoral cause (read: one that goes against your own personal morals, not anyone else's standards)...you only live once, why not live fast, die young and leave a steaming crater...go ahead and buy you a nice fast car, huge house, one of those nifty infinity pools, have a few babes on the side, buy diamonds and fur...wear leather...travel and see the world...

now back to my normal self...i do agree with the you only live once thing and you should enjoy your life...but if you forget your ethics and morals, just how much will you really be enjoying your life? babes on the side get older, diamonds get dull, fur is out of style, leather is hot...sure travel is nice and who doesn't want a pretty, fast car? but why not take a second job and save up for that type of thing...or better yet, gas up the ole minivan and head cross country with the windows down and the radio blasting...

Answer 4

you must think IF you get caught in your ethical and moral decline well it cause you to lose the wealth .you could end up losing both yourself and the money .yet if you can get caught and not lose the money then people well forget with time and you well for give yourself latter .wealth is hard to come by many have there morals and ethics in take and live poorly. remember this .there is a right and wrong why to do a right and wrong thing .find the right why to do this and you win no matter if you do what is wrong or right

Answer 5

If it is immoral, then it is an illegal business venture, and it will catch up to you one day. In fact I don't even think your asking this question looking for a devil's advocate. I think you want someone to give you moral support.

So I say, "you are a great guy" and I am sure all your friends, family and aquaintances think you are too. So Keep it that way. A good reputation is not for sale.

Money comes and goes. But who do you want looking at you in the mirror every day???????

Answer 6

Monetary wealth will ever bring you the satisfaction, happiness and spiritual wealth that ethic and morality does. If you lose the money you will be montarily broke, but you will maintain richest with ethics and morality despite being monetarily broke and that's worth more than money. It may sound cliche or corny but it's true.

Answer 7

Of course its more important to be ethical and moral. Living proof is alot of celebreties out there who have millions upon millions of dollars yet are getting divorced right and left shaving off their hair, doing drugs and are in pretty bad shape. Money can't by you happiness thats for sure.

Answer 8

Well, you might want to ask yourself, "will this money somehow give me a lifetime of peace of mind? Will I be able to peacefully, comfortably, and with no regrets/remorse/concerns that I did the wrong thing to get it, go about my business?

Will I be able to be generous? Is that my goal?

If you can't unequivocally answer that in the affirmative, then you, by opting to "go for it", are essentially dooming yourself to a life of wondering if you had, after all, done the right thing, NO MATTER HOW much money is involved.

Good Luck

Answer 9

In this, I cannot be the devil's advocate. You're the one who has to look at the reflection in the mirror. Will money make you look better or will you see the fallen man?

Answer 10

particular, this would properly be a considered necessary question. people who carry to a "faith + works" salvation are blending 2 concepts of scripture and in the approach have corrupted the Bible. There are style of Scriptures that make it common that salvation is a unfastened present and would't be earned via works. between the main properly many times happening of those is; "For via grace are ye saved by using faith, and that no longer of yourselves, this is the present of God, no longer OF WORKS lest any guy ought to boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9) Does this advise that a believer isn't "anticipated" to do good works? Perish the theory the Scriptures say... A Christian does good works using fact they are saved, no longer with the intention to be saved. good works are the fruit of salvation, no longer the inspiration of salvation. yet another Christian or maybe an unbeliever has each spectacular to question (As in the e book of James) a individual's "faith" whether it is not observed via good works. i wish this facilitates. e mail me in case you will like.. My e mail handle is public. Edit: "Fr. Joseph" Very interesting answer to this question, although, you be attentive to that orthodox RCC evidently teaches a faith + works salvation. is this perception a carry over out of your days as a "Protestant"?