Weekly Thought Archives > Money Alert
Money Alert
Fred taught frequently on
money. He respected it, understanding
its power for good and evil. Robert L.
Deffinbaugh, chair of the BWF Project board, commented recently that the themes
of money (greed and thievery) and lying are intertwined in gospel
accounts. For example, Ananias/Sapphira
and Judas. Fred's wisdom on the subject
brought many to his office for conversations.
Look forward to reports on
the Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute events at Emmaus Bible College and
Asbury University this year. Please pray
for these efforts. The board is
responding to two questions: "Who is
going to reach the next generation? Who
is going to reach the world?" We believe
BWFLI has been given work to do as part of the answers. We never underestimate your support.
Money Alert
Money has such a strange hold
on us. I think it is might be helpful to
tell this story as a warning: A young,
successful man brought me his financial statement, showing assets comfortably
in the multiple millions. He asked for
my thinking on a deal which could easily increase his worth ten times. It was highly speculative - a sort of Russian
roulette in the money game.
I asked what he and his
family could do with ten times the wealth that they couldn't already do with
the millions they already possessed. I
was trying to smoke out his ego without hurting his feelings. I wasn't going to make his decision for him.
And I wasn't dismissing his opportunity to become enormously rich.
However, I felt a
responsibility to him so I shared with him a rule which has guided my thinking,
especially when the children were young.
"I have no need to be extremely rich, but I have a great need not to be
broke." I didn't speculate on deals that
would materially alter our family's lifestyle.
I never felt I was justified in gambling my family's future just to
amass great wealth.
It might be nice to be envied
by the business community or at the club.
But it's just too dangerous for the family.
He understood my point and
pointedly disagreed. He went ahead, lost
everything, and fell into a tragic bankruptcy.
I felt more for his family than for him.
He was a gambler, but his family wasn't.
I am always curious when I
see someone obviously living to make money.
I suspect they may have figured out a way go through life twice ---- the
first time making money and the second enjoying it. I'm not this smart, so I figure I will make
it and utilize it once.
Think about: 1) How much is
enough? 2) What would change if I were worth 10x more? 3) When am I tempted by
greed or lying because of money?
Words of Wisdom: "I have no need to be extremely
rich, but I have a great need not to be broke."
Wisdom from the Word: "For wisdom provides protection, just as money provides
protection..But the advantage of
knowledge is this :Wisdom preserves
the life of its owner."
(Ecclesiastes 7: 12 NET Bible)
