Often in that pursuit of riches our the truly important things are lost, like health and the time for enjoying the important things.
And maybe we all need to go through some version of this pursuit in order to realise its emptiness!
Perhaps we do, but I think we also need to experience the simple precious things to know they exist in order to realise that pursuit is emptiness.
RTB worked for a while for a company that paid well, sent him on paid trips to other states and bought lavish gifts and meals for the workers and families. It was interesting to experience this and at the back of my mind I knew not to get used to it, because it might not last. The hours were long and stressful and he piled on weight. When he got made redundant and went back to a lower paid job without the stress he was a lot healthier for it. I don't regret that it didn't last, it wasn't worth his health and it was empty, just like you say. I'm glad we had the experience though.