Good morning & happy Monday!
“People get blinded by money. Having money with no sense of guidance is the same as being poor.”
Unknown
I could not find the author of that quote, but I thought it was very powerful.
Being poor … many of us have been there at times in our lives. It can be a difficult place to live.
Although I can’t point to any specific research (I started to do a bit of research on this topic but that proved to be far more in depth than the scope of this conversation) I have observed through years of personal experience that the way we were raised has a HUGE impact in how we view and approach money and wealth.
As an example, some of us have grown up poor, and my observation is that often times we are so scared of ever being poor again that we will often fail to enjoy the financial resources we have acquired.
Without quoting statistics, providing charts, or giving data I think we can mostly agree that how we were raised has had a significant impact on how we view the world, including money. Our view of money (and the world as a whole) has likely been hardwired into our brain before we hit our 10th birthday.
So, what is money? Is it cash dollar bills? An amount in a bank account or investment statement? A net worth figure?
I submit to you that I believe money is FREEDOM.
Money is one tool available to help us enjoy freedoms that this life offers.
Many of you have heard me reference what I believe is required for an amazing retirement: 1) time 2) money 3) health. All 3 are really required to truly enjoy the freedom retirement can offer. 2 out of 3 don’t cut it (example: time & heath with no money is not an amazing retirement)
Here’s the thing … all of us are on borrowed time when it come to our health. All the money in the world without our health is somewhat meaningless.
As we work with our clients to live intentionally, I simply will ask today: is money providing you the freedom it should or is it actually a hinderance to freedom?
One of the most misquoted passages in the Bible is 1 Timothy 6:10 which says “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” People will often misquote this to something along the lines of “money is the root of evil” but the passage is clear that “the love of money” is where the problem is. Does our money / wealth serve us or do we serve it? As my son’s money book pointed out: money is a wonderful master but a terrible servant.
Are we living free? Are we living intentional? Are we living blessed?
No matter what the rate of return is, the market conditions, the political climate, etc, etc, etc. if we are not living free, intentional & blessed all the money in the world won’t change that.
Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your intentional journey.