“Money can’t buy me love…” the Beatles sang, and they were right. Money can’t buy you happiness either.
So, does this mean money is useless? Far from it! Here are a few things money can get for you:
1. Security: Financial security means different things to different people. Money can give you a life of comfort. A home of your own and enough money in the bank to support you in the way you want, plus a bit in hand for emergencies and a big enough pension to retire comfortably? When you make legitimate money, it can give you all this and more.
2. Influence: When money speaks, the truth is silent. So the old saying goes, but what if you can flip it? What if you can actually make enough money to give the truth a voice? What if honest politicians no longer had to be sponsored by dirty money, limiting their ability to do right and tainting their integrity? Money brings influence, and can actually position you to do a lot of good in the world.
3. Legacy: Someone once said that when Nigerian parents die, they don’t leave an inheritance but leave a pile of debts instead. This is sad, but too often true. In addition to not being a burden to your children (albeit one they would gladly bear, if you raised them right), wouldn’t it be nice to leave an inheritance for your children’s children? Wouldn’t it be great to be able to engage in philanthropy and leave a legacy of generosity?
When you juxtapose this with the helpless feeling that comes with not being able to give to someone who is in need, and not being able to donate to causes you believe in (please search the hashtag #SaveMirabel and donate to keep the Mirabel Center going, thank you), you have to agree that making money is important! Yes, money is good. The poverty of the poor is their ruin. However, as you acquire it, be sure to acquire wisdom also. Don’t be a rich fool. Money is a defense, just as wisdom is, but wisdom is better than money in that it saves the life of the person who has it.
