I see them more like a gamble than a best bet

By all means, if you can rally the right people around a specific cause it can have a tremendous upside, that's how business is done. But that's far the exception than the rule and why 90% of businesses fail 

 Not saying that there aren't people who enjoy their jobs but for me, I don't intend on working until retirement age. I enjoyed my first marketing job for sure, but other jobs not so much. But they were all a means to an end really weather I liked them or not. A means to money or a means to acquire skills I still use today and building a network I can rely on. 

> Earning improves self- esteem, creates self-reliance and is good for our health and our brain.

I couldn't agree more, if you're simply working for money as your only motive you're going to miss out on the benefits you mentioned here. 

Thanks for the support and glad you enjoyed my little ramble