💰 When Money Makes Us Poor: Rethinking Wealth Through the 8 Pillars of Wellness

💸 When Money Makes Us Poor

Robert Kiyosaki once dropped a paradox that makes you pause:

“Money makes people poor.”

At first glance, it feels absurd.

After all, isn’t money supposed to make us rich? But if you scratch the surface, you’ll see the truth.

The Poverty of Plenty

We live in a world where people earn more than ever before.

Yet, so many walk around exhausted, anxious, disconnected, and deeply unfulfilled.

Why? Because money has slowly stolen away their real wealth.

Health is bartered for deadlines and late nights.

Relationships shrink into WhatsApp forwards instead of real conversations.

Mental wellness takes a back seat, replaced by comparison, insecurity, and scrolling.

Spiritual grounding is forgotten in the chaos of transactions and targets.

We’re not short of money. We’re short of meaning.

Money is Not the Villain

Let’s be clear — money itself is not evil. It’s neutral, like fire.

In the right place, fire cooks your food, warms your home, and lights your way.

In the wrong place, it burns your house down.

Money is the same. It can fuel growth, freedom, and service.

But when we let it define success, it leaves us poorer than ever.

The 8 Pillars of True Wealth

In my work, I return again and again to the 8 pillars of wellness. They are the compass of a rich life:

1. Physical health – Without vitality, even luxury feels hollow.

2. Emotional balance – The ability to feel, process, and release emotions with grace.

3. Relationships – Love, friendship, family; the bonds that make us human.

4. Intellectual growth – Curiosity, creativity, learning that keeps us alive inside.

5. Spiritual grounding – A sense of meaning, faith, or connection with the universe.

6. Financial wellness – Yes, money matters — but in balance, not obsession.

7. Professional fulfillment – Work that aligns with purpose, not just paychecks.

8. Social/community connection – Belonging, contribution, impact on others’ lives.

When money strengthens these, it is a blessing. When it weakens them, it makes us poor.

A Question Worth Asking

So here’s the reflection for today:

👉 Are you earning money to grow richer in life…

or sacrificing life to grow poorer with money?

Wealth is not the number in your account.

Wealth is how your heart beats, your mind rests, your relationships thrive, and your spirit soars.

Kiyosaki’s paradox makes sense now: money can make you poor, if you let it.

But when guided by wellness, wisdom, and balance — money becomes what it should be: a tool to live, not the reason for living.

✨ Call to action:

Pause today.

Check your 8 pillars. Which one needs attention? And how can your money serve that pillar — instead of starving it?