“If You Would Know What the Lord God Thinks of Money, You Have Only to Look at Those to Whom He Gives It.”. Source
This sharp observation cuts to the heart of a timeless debate. It suggests a profound cynicism about wealth and virtue. The quote implies that God does not hold money in high regard. Furthermore, it uses the character of the wealthy as evidence. For centuries, thinkers, writers, and theologians have wrestled with this powerful idea. The sentiment has echoed through history, changing hands and phrasing but always retaining its provocative core. Maurice Baring – Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
Its journey is a fascinating detective story of misattribution. It reveals how a potent idea can become part of our collective wisdom. Consequently, its true origin often becomes lost in the mists of time. Let’s explore the meaning behind this statement and trace its winding path through literary history.
The Core Message: Wealth vs. Worth
The quote operates on a simple, yet biting, premise. It asks you to observe the world’s wealthiest individuals. Then, it challenges you to assess their moral character. The unspoken conclusion is that many who possess great riches lack other, more important qualities like kindness, integrity, or wisdom. Therefore, if God grants this immense power to such people, He must not value it very much. It is seen as a consolation prize, not a true blessing.
This perspective directly confronts the idea that wealth is a sign of divine favor. For instance, many belief systems associate prosperity with righteousness. This quote flips that notion on its head. It argues that material wealth is, at best, a trivial gift and, at worst, a cosmic joke. It forces us to consider what truly constitutes a valuable life. Is it the accumulation of assets, or is it the development of character? The saying powerfully argues for the latter.
The Trail of Attribution: A Historical Puzzle
Untangling the history of this quote is like following a thread through a complex tapestry. While many have uttered similar phrases, the sentiment’s roots run deep into the Protestant Reformation. The journey shows how an idea can be refined, rephrased, and reassigned over hundreds of years.
The Earliest Echoes: Martin Luther
The earliest known version of this idea comes from Martin Luther, the seminal figure of the Reformation. In his “Table Talk,” a collection of notes published after his death, he expressed a similar thought. Luther stated that God often gives riches to “gross Asses” to whom He gives nothing else. . This theological stance frames wealth as one of the least important gifts God can bestow upon humanity. Source
The Enlightenment Refinement
As centuries passed, the sentiment moved from purely theological discourse into broader social commentary. The Enlightenment era saw writers and satirists adopt the theme to critique their own societies. For example, Richard Steele featured a version in a 1710 issue of “The Tatler.” He wrote, “we may learn the little Value of Fortune by the Persons on whom Heaven is pleased to bestow it.”. Jonathan Swift – Gulliver’s Travels and Other Writings – Britannica
However, the most famous association is with the Anglo-Irish satirist Jonathan Swift. In a 1720 letter, Swift penned his own characteristically sharp version. He argued that if heaven considered riches valuable, it would not have given them to such a scoundrel. This direct and acerbic take fits perfectly with Swift’s reputation for biting social critique. Subsequently, many later attributions point directly to him, though often with slightly different wording.
. Jonathan Swift | Biography, Books, Gulliver’s Travels, A Modest Proposal, & Facts
Modern Misattributions and Popular Wisdom
By the 20th century, the quote had become a piece of folk wisdom. Its origins were so murky that people could attribute it to almost anyone. The American writer Dorothy Parker provides a perfect example. During a 1956 interview, she praised the line, attributing it to the author Maurice Baring. Interestingly, Baring himself had used the line in a novel, but he correctly attributed it to Jonathan Swift within his text. This shows how easily the immediate source can overshadow the original one.
Through figures like Alexander Pope, who polished the phrase, and later commentators who adopted it, the idea solidified its place in Western thought. The core message proved so resonant that its specific authorship became secondary. Its power lies not in who said it first, but in the enduring truth it seems to capture about the human condition and the paradoxes of wealth. Dorothy Parker, The Art of Fiction No. 13
Why Does This Saying Still Resonate?
The quote’s staying power is remarkable. It remains relevant today because it speaks to contemporary anxieties about wealth inequality and justice. In an age of billionaires and vast economic divides, the question of who gets rich and why is more pertinent than ever. The saying provides a sharp, cynical lens through which to view a world where financial success does not always align with moral virtue.
Furthermore, it serves as a personal reminder to keep material pursuits in perspective. It encourages a focus on non-material values like relationships, knowledge, and integrity. The statement challenges us to define success on our own terms, separate from the glitter of fortune. In conclusion, whether you attribute it to Luther, Swift, or simply “an old divine,” its message is clear. The true measure of a person is not found in their bank account, but in the richness of their character.