Hi Pravo - I have to agree with what you say. The culture of wealth at any cost and sales, sales, sales is indeed corrosive and anti-Christian.
The mention of Zig Zigler reminded me of my (short, though lucrative) days in sales and sales training.
Once, when I was taking some time out from college, I was working at a Toyota dealership in the Northwest. An Episcopal priest came in wanting to buy an MR2 (a tiny sportscar for those who might not know what it is.) I had a very difficult time trying to respectfully suggest that he might want to consider something more practical for his work, and, of course, I knew it was the wrong thing to do from my employer's point of view as well.
Finally, I managed to talk him out of the MR2 and myself out of $500.
Many years later, when I was working at a Honda dealership in Northern California, trying to earn some quick money to finance an artistic project I was producing, I ran into another Episcopal priest. He wanted a Toyota Celica.
I had learned my lesson well. I encouraged him and his car-lust, and I buried him in that Celica and put almost $1k in my pocket.
Money lust had eradicated my conscience and my respect for even the clergy, albeit clergy of another faith. (I don't think I would have done the same thing to an Orthodox priest, though I don't think an Orthodox priest would have put himself in such a position. I would do it in an instant to an MP cleric, but they are neither clergy nor Orthodox.)
I don't think that the gospel of Zig Ziglar is really one we ought to follow, and I say this as someone who is trained in that philosophy and who has trained others in that philosophy.
For some, wealth is a temptation while for others, wealth might be a burden. I don't think it is ever right for us to second-guess our burdens or our temptations. We ought to trust in God that what we are offered, good or bad, is for a purpose.
The problem I have with books like "The Secret" is the problems which have been stated. Those books encourage us to be our own God and to feel responsible for things beyond our control.
As a sales manager and sales trainer, I used those philosophies to make my exploited workers feel responsible for circumstances beyond their control. Those are not books designed to help people, as they are portrayed. They are designed (and function quite well) as books which enslave people with material lust.
I speak fluent Zig Ziglar. The purpose and use of Zig Ziglar is the antithesis of the Holy Gospels.
Wealth isn't wrong, if it is gained honestly and does not corrupt. It is NOT a demonstration of God smiling upon one earthly human, just as poverty is not a sign of God's disfavour.
We need to trust that God gives us what we need.
Zig Ziglar tells us to go out and get what we want.
