WORSHIP OF MAMMON

 

33. WORSHIP OF MAMMON

Bible says, ]love of money is the root of all evil.  Oscar Wilde amnended it, ‘lack of money is the root of all evil’.  I think the rich have understood all this. One of the richest men in the world was Rockefeller whose empire was worth billions of dollars. He started a Foundation to help the people. The first installment of the amount set apart for this itself was worth 100 million dollars. The Standard Oil Company built up by Rockefeller had at one time monopoly over American oil trade. Though thoroughly immersed in riches, Rockefeller had a strange attitude towards money. The inmates of his palatial house had food hardly enough to satiate their hunger. He was a strict disciplinarian. He tried to impose discipline in his industrial empire too. Rockefeller was opposed to employees going on leave. He felt that even that time should be spent in the factory to increase the production, and the income. He took pleasure in depriving himself of the pleasures of life and denying the same to others. The only aim in his life was to make money. He was always enthusiastic when it came to throwing money to harvest more money. This love of money was in his blood stream.

At the age of seven Rockefeller bought some turkeys and bred them. From the money thus earned he became rich very quickly by lending money on interest. He worked as a foreman and accountant in an industrial enterprise. The money and the experience gained there gave him the idea to start his own industry. During the American Civil War he entered the fray with his own strategy. From then on there was no looking back.

Rockefeller was not prepared to show any leniency in his commercial dealings. He would finish off his competitors. His policy was to do away with his opponents. It was when Rockefeller entered the oil industry that America could recognize his sharp intellect.

He started purchasing the oil companies one by one. In oil trade he did not brook any competition other than his own. Gradually he owned all but one or two oil companies in his country.

Rockefeller was like a banyan tree. He did not allow even a blade of grass to grow under it. Here he followed the style of big fish swallowing the small ones. With this the richest industrialist in America also became the most hated. He felt disturbed that many whom he had uprooted got organized against him. There were even threats on his life. This rich man who loved money never gave a thought as to what he had gained.

But even though late, good sense dawned on him. Goaded by his son, he found a new use for his money. That was how the Rockefeller Foundation came into being. The start was by earmarking 100 million dollars for people’s welfare. The world saw Rockefeller, who could make people work for money, becoming the Trustee of that money. Now Rockefeller riches are utilized in many parts of the world for welfare measures through the Rockefeller Foundation.

Alfred Krupp of Germany was another Rockefeller. He had also laid down certain rules for his family. Extremely rich, he was an industrial emperor who turned into profit whatever he touched. He acquired wealth, accumulated it, but did not permit his family to enjoy the fruits of it. Krupp’s home was also palatial, like that of Rockefeller. Extravagant drawing room and bedrooms. Beautiful garden. But during winter none of these rooms or halls were permitted to be heated. He did not want to spend money to get them heated. ‘If the rooms are overheated the children will go to sleep. They will become lethargic. ’ This was his justification.

Krupp had a passion for trade in armaments. Through this he opened up an empire of killings. Krupp was known as a prime mover of wars. For this reason his was the most hated family in Europe.

In the end he faced trial at Nuremberg. He was sentenced to solitary confinement for twelve years. The owner of billions had just a bucket for himself in the prison cell.

The American army had taken necessary steps to bulldoze Krupp’s armament trade. But none could demolish the entrepreneurship in Krupp. After twelve years of incarceration Krupp was a free man. He could open industrial enterprises but he would not be permitted to deal in armaments. This was the condition on which he was freed. Krupp kept his word. He opened his factories. He started producing steel instead of weapons. Then he entered the coal trade also. In both these businesses he became the uncrowned monarch. Later he bacame the owner of an engineering chain that spread all over the world.

He could lineup the leaders of the world to celebrate the success of the industrial empire he could reclaim. Representatives from 120 countries, including the Emperor of Ethiopia, attended the celebration. But the absence of one person was noticed. That of Krupp’s wife. She had fled to New York. The billionaire’s wife felt that freedom was more important than money.

Both Rockefeller and Krupp who loved money forgot to love life. What would the whole world amount to if the soul is lost?