From: http://www.bizjournals.com/
There is an oft-misquoted Bible verse about money.
You’ve heard it, probably hundreds of times in your life:
Money is the root of all evil.
But here’s the problem. That’s not what it says at all. The actual verse says that the “love of money is the root of all evil.”
If you love money and pursue it alone, I can tell you that you’ll end up a very unhappy person.
I know a lot of people with money. If their lives are in balance and money is not the only thing on their radar screen, they do just fine. They are well adjusted and successful. These people also have made decisions in their lives based on so many other factors that are not financial.
Sounds like a crazy idea at first glance, doesn’t it? But our Halftime Institute has a steady stream of these folks, so I know they exist. When faced with what was next for them, many, if not all, decided to give more weight to what makes them happy, what their gifts and talents may be, the kinds of things they have always dreamed of doing, what they believe their calling may be, and so on.
Money isn’t everything
Don’t get me wrong, money is important. But it’s not everything. If it were, than at some point there would be enough, right? But there never is. John Rockefeller was reportedly once asked about how much money was enough. Mr. Rockefeller’s response: “Just a little bit more.”
And there is the pitfall. We chase it our whole lives and mistakenly think that it will lead to fulfillment. If one of the richest men in the world was not satisfied, how can we think we will be?
This is a very common issue that you don’t really hear much about. Chasing money for money alone turns out to be very deceptive. When you get there, wherever “there” is, you can’t rest. If you have a million, then 10million becomes the goal. You have to keep forging ahead, essentially chasing a moving target that keeps itself close enough to continue the chase, but far enough away to never be in danger of being caught.
The money myth
The money myth says that all you need is enough money and you can do whatever you want. It also says that you’ll be happy. The truth is, all of the latest research says that at some point enough money (actually, around $75,000 here in the U.S.) doesmake us happier, but income beyond that number has no measurable positive impact on our happiness, and can even be a burden and make us less happy.
In my late 20s, a great teacher for me was Ray Steadman, pastor of the Palo Alto Bible Church. Over breakfast one morning he taught me four false beliefs that make money so deceitful. Those who have wealth have a strong tendency to believe:
- I am bulletproof (nothing can harm me)
- I am free of responsibility
- I do not need other people … or God
- Money will buy me happiness
Later in life, as I walked alone on a bluff overlooking the Rio Grande River that had taken my only son’s life, I remember realizing, “You may have a lot of money, but you can’t buy your way out of this.” No amount of money could bring my son back. Nor can it buy any of us anything that lasts.
The technology pundit George Gilder, speaking about the massive accumulation of wealth these days, said, “Achieving prosperity without hedonism will entail heroic leadership.” When we buy into the myth of money, we choke off our potential for growth and remain stuck. Only when we change myths will we be able to move on toward significance.
I know many of you feel you cannot launch into a second half until you have just “this much more.” Then you will be financially secure and can do what’s next for you.
I’m here to tell you that, in my experience, it doesn’t work that way. Step out. Be bold. Figure out what would make you wake up every morning with unbridled enthusiasm. Do what makes your heart beat with anticipation. Do work that matters. Leave a legacy. You’ll find it to be priceless.
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