Weekly Thought – September 5, 2023
Fred valued character, relationships, and faith. He also valued money, but as a tool, not an idol. Growing up extremely impoverished financially, but he was rich in wisdom and life experience. Many sought his counsel as they both built businesses, and rebuilt from financial devastation.
Thinking About Money
Money is one of life’s greatest necessities. To disparage it is to show your ignorance of real life. Money is as important to a functioning life as blood is to the body. It is necessary, but should never be the end goal. We make blood to live, not live to make blood. In the very same way, I make money to live, but never live to make money.
I have explained to our children “money is option.” With it a multitude of choices are possible. Without it our experiences are limited. However, money does not bring with it the sense of responsibility needed to make wise choices and choose the right options. When someone gets into financial, social, or relational trouble, the root cause is rarely money itself, but the irresponsible use of it.
I am sure some of my friends have found a way to through life twice. They seem to think this time they are going to focus on making money and the next time through they are going to enjoy it. In my experience I found we only go through once and I think it makes sense to make it and use it well on the one time we get.
The truth about money has been known for a long time. Aristotle called it “barren” not because it didn’t bring benefits but because the emotions it brought were among the most base and not to be compared to the nobility of love, patriotism, and religion.
The man or woman whose greatest emotions are reserved for money knows nothing of the higher emotional life. Money may buy fun, even happiness at times, but never true joy. It has no potential for elevating the intellectual and spiritual potential.
The love of gold almost blocks the love for all else…certainly those things that are noble. How pale is the struggle for wealth when compared to the struggle for freedom, searching for truth, or the love of family.
This week think carefully about: 1) When I am honest with myself is money a tool or an idol? 2) How important was money when I grew up? 3) Who is a proper model for the prudent use of money?
Words of Wisdom: “The man or woman whose greatest emotions are reserved for money knows nothing of the higher emotional life.”
Wisdom from the Word: “What’s the point of a fool having money in hand to buy wisdom, when his head is empty?” (Proverbs 17:16 NET Bible)