Dad, are we rich?

[Investment and Financial Management and Confidence]

Photo provided/Translated by Eric Fu/Qiu Lihua

Dad, are we rich? "One day, during the flight, the six-year-old asked this question, which was really unexpected.

I looked at my son and thought, "Wow! What a wonderful teaching moment!" I have given advice to thousands of people in my career, and now I had the opportunity to give advice to my own on one of my favorite topics. My son teaches! So, in front of a rapt audience of one, I started with the basic concept of wealth and then subtly moved into the deeper meaning of being rich.

"We are rich compared to many people in the world who have very little money or property." I continued. "For example, if you have a hundred dollars and everyone else has a million, you might You will feel poor, but if you have plenty of water and food, and others have nothing, you will feel like the richest person. Therefore, part of the definition of wealth comes from the accumulation of wealth. Others; and another part of the definition has to do with what was considered a treasure at a particular time.”

Feeling that my son understood, I continued: "But be careful that the idea of 'relative' will lead people to certain paths of frustration and trouble. You may feel angry because someone is richer than you; you may be full of fear because you are afraid of losing. ; perhaps becoming obsessed with coveting something that is not yours. The Bible teaches that these situations can become sin because they can quickly turn into bad things. Instead, Jesus’ words and life testimony invite us to joyfully lift them up. Look up to others even if they have more than we do; to walk boldly by faith rather than in fear; to live in peace and rejoice in the success of others. When it comes to money, follow. Jesus is different from the way the world usually does. Jesus leads us into a permanent richness that has more to do with the treasures you choose than with your inner soul.

"Rich" can be faith, believing that I can do all things through Jesus Christ, who strengthens me. It can also be temperance, through the word of God; it can be hope, being able to look forward patiently, believing that there will soon be many new opportunities; our wealth can also be the daily guidance of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to do to self-discipline. These things, and more, continually bring us to abundance. Will all this make us rich in a worldly sense? Sometimes it’s really possible!

The secret is to live like this every day, and you may be inspired to create new services or tools that can help meet someone's most urgent and challenging needs. This is called creating value, and it can lead the group of people you serve to open the path to wealth; then, sometimes in return, the wealth will come back to you. This is also called abundance thinking. "

As he continued to listen attentively, I moved on to the most crucial statement: “Our family’s goal is to be good stewards of the rich gifts God has given us. We have also quantified this goal. When making financial decisions, start with Ask yourself the following questions:

Do we honor God and follow Jesus’ example when we make such decisions? Have we calculated all the costs? Is it valuable relative to the time invested and risk taken? Does this decision have a good probability of success that will grow and inspire more good things? Will this action produce more or less fruit? (Such as: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control - the Bible tells us that in these areas you can work hard and be as rich as you want.) Do you agree with what I say? ? "

My statement is complete. After thinking for a moment, the son responded: "Then...are we rich people?"

We couldn't help but laugh. I replied: "Yes!"

There are two things I like very much about the question my son asked at the beginning. First, this was the first time I heard him decide to use the concept of “we” to define our family when sharing. Another thing I particularly loved was the look in his eyes, which made me feel like he had made the decision to be truly rich—choosing to think with hope, abundance, and philanthropy. These two decisions can have a profound impact on everyone, young and old, on their financial path and process.

Many people set clear personal goals for themselves each year in areas such as net worth, income/spending, growth, and giving. This is valuable and quite important.

However, if you broaden your goals and join some communities or groups that you want to help grow, you will open up more and greater opportunities. These communities or groups could be your family, business, client relationships, neighborhoods, ministry, or country.

When you define "us," you begin to create a lasting treasure that cannot be taken away, forming a good work that will ripple through eternity. Every night, when you are planning for tomorrow, think about your "we" group and see if you wake up the next day with greater enthusiasm and expectation for a colorful life (a little bit) No need for coffee either).

My mother-in-law is the epitome of a rich thought life (and she loves coffee). She passed away not long ago and we had a wonderful relationship for twenty-six years. She is one of the "richest" people I know. Part of her contentment came from her husband providing for all her basic needs: and her wealth came from her continued pursuit of caring for others every day, even as she struggled with physical pain for much of her life.

▲Share it with others and you can better appreciate the richness of God’s gifts.

Due to the tragic death of her little brother when she was young, she learned at a young age to cherish life to the best of her ability every day. To her, every day is a precious gift. She seems to have no desires in her heart and doesn't care whether every day is perfect. In fact, many things in life are beyond our control, that’s just how life is! Her career...so many things in life. Her career does not make her financially independent. She has health problems and limited mobility. However, instead of being depressed by all of this, she continued to sow what she could control into the lives of others - a compassionate and healing heart, compassionate teaching, inspiring writing, and Joyful creativity.

How are you doing? Are you rich? Or, like my son's response to me: "So...are we rich people?" I'd love to hear your answer to this question...and also want to know what kind of freedom this will bring you.

Author profile

Eric Vogen, founder and CEO of Vision Capital & Management, holds a master's degree in business and holds a financial planner (CFP) certificate. He has more than 20 years of practical experience in securities investment. eric@visioncapitalmgt.com

Translator profile

Qiu Lihua, from mainland China, once taught in the foreign language department of the university. Now living in Southern California, USA, he has served at Clear Spring Valley Christian Church for many years. Currently working at a Christian private high school. Like all good things.