True Wealth

by Ryan M. Healy

In the hustle and bustle of running and growing a business, it’s easy to forget what really matters.

Earning money is a necessity; you have to have some money to get through life. Pursuing money for money’s sake is delusional; there are better, more lasting things to devote your life energy to.

The problem with money is that it can only fix EXTERNAL problems. Problems like taxes, having food to eat, making payroll, etc. Money cannot fix INTERNAL problems.

Money can’t make you happy.
It can’t earn your children’s love.
It can’t give you a sense of meaning.
It can’t help you answer the great questions of life.
It can’t give you self-worth or self-confidence.

My point: There are lots of things money can’t do. And in this post I want to make a distinction between fake wealth (money) and true wealth.

Net Worth and Self-Worth Are Not Related

Most people think their net worth is a reflection of their worth as people. This is not true. Your worth as a person is not determined by how much money you make. The fact that you are a unique individual created by God is proof of your value — apart from any other physical trappings.

You Are Somebody Already

A few days ago, I watched a promotional video by two Internet marketing gurus. One of them is my friend.

In the video, they were selling the opportunity to win an exotic car. As they built the dream of what it would be like to have and drive this car, one of them said:

What you have to get used to is being an instant celebrity. See, everybody is going to talk to you. [...] They’re going to see you in this car and gonna go Wow! You gotta be somebody ‘cuz you have a Ferrari. And in fact, you will be somebody when you are able to drive this Ferrari.

If you read between the lines, what this man was really saying is that without this car, you’re just a nobody.

And that’s a dangerous world view to believe in.

Because money, fame, and possessions cannot make you somebody. For proof, just look at all the unhappy movie stars in Hollywood.

True Wealth Is…

True wealth is having meaningful relationships with people who love you unconditionally.

True wealth is being able to do meaningful work without regard for its financial reward.

True wealth is health and energy, passion and purpose.

True wealth is being able to laugh with others — and laugh at yourself.

True wealth is having the freedom to make mistakes, to be “not okay” sometimes.

True wealth is knowing your value as a human being and not worrying about impressing other people.

True wealth is knowing your Creator personally and experiencing His infinite love apart from religion or the empty traditions of men.

What Happens When Money Is Worthless?

Have you ever taken the time to imagine what your life might look like if money wasn’t worth anything?

It’s an interesting mental exercise. Maybe you could indulge me. Just imagine for a moment what would change in your life if the dollar was worth less than the paper it was printed on.

What would you do to survive?
How would you spend your time?
Most importantly, how would you feel?
Would you feel a sense of loss? Or liberation?

I believe a day is coming when dollars will indeed be worthless. Years of labor and billions of dollars in retirement savings will evaporate. And if you’ve tied your happiness and self-worth to money, you’re going to be in for quite a shock. Which is why I feel it’s important to engage in this discussion.

Remember: There is nothing inherently wrong with money. It’s wrong beliefs about money that have the potential to hurt us. So let’s work toward a better understanding of what true wealth really is.

-Ryan M. Healy

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Ryan M. Healy

@Farhad - I'm with you. I don't put in a bunch of hours to bring in more money. Better to spend the time with family.

@Shel - Thank you for the insightful comment. Bartering is a great way to get the things you want... without paying Uncle Sam his cut.

@Paul - The verse you're referring to is (I believe) Ezekiel 7:19. It seems to me that prophecy has already been fulfilled during the destruction of Jerusalem from 70-73 A.D. There may yet be a future fulfillment.

The best preparation is to listen to the voice of God and trust Him for all things.

Other suggestions:

--Don't try to store up weeks or months of water. You can't carry much water with you if you need to travel. Rather, get a portable water filtration system.

--Buy silver. It can be used as a medium of exchange if/when the dollar becomes worthless. I realize you can't eat it, but it could be worth having some.

--Learn survival. Knowledge of how to find food, water, etc. will be extremely valuable in case of a catastrophe.

Ultimately, you can't plan for all scenarios. We are limited in our ability to see. That's why it's so important to be tuned into the One who can see all things.

Paul

I want to know what you are REALLY doing to prepare though.

Revelation states there will come a day when the people throw gold and silver into the streets because it's worthless.

If you live in the city, or a suburb, surrounded by people all in the same boat as you, if you are reliant on power that is generated off site for your daily existence, if you depend on the trucks running to stock the shelves so you can eat... what then?

I moved from the Gulf Coast of FL because Charlie scared me to death, and Katrina showed me a glimpse (on a very small scale in my opinion) of what could happen in a crisis.

I'm not saying any of this will happen, but I'm not saying it won't either.

Silver is a good investment in terms of its worth in dollars. But you can't eat silver, and you can't heat your house with it.

Trust me, I wouldn't have considered any of this if I hadn't been sitting in my living room in 2005, newly married with my wife pregnant with our first child watching a Cat 5 hurricane headed straight for my front door on TV with only 15 gallons of drinking water stored up in case anything happened.

It was very sobering.

PFH

Shel Horowitz--Ethical Marketi

Amen, Brother Ryan!

I've been speaking and writing for years on the idea tht money is just a means to an end (not original, but worth repeating). You can use money to buy things you like or donate it to help others--or you can accomplish those same goals through other means. In fact, an e-book I wrote all the way back in 1995, The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant's Pocketbook, shows how to travel, dine out, see entertainment, etc. for little or no money.

As it happens, I'm ushering for a David Byrne concert tonight. Instead of paying $70, I'm getting to the theater about an hour before I would normally, and showing people to their seats. Not that I can't afford the ticket, but I actually enjoy most shows more if I'm working at them (and don't feel ripped off if the show turns out to be less than stellar). I own a $5k Persian rug that I never would have bought; I bartered some copywriting for it.

Too many people see money as the end in itself. But money is only worth anything when you convert it to goods and services.

Ryan M. Healy

Follow-up to Paul, Robert, and DK's comments:

There were a couple interesting news items today. When Iceland's government went bankrupt, it was big news. But nobody felt anything immediately.

That has since changed. Two months later and Icelanders are hurting. So much so that they raided their Central Bank. That would be like Americans storming the Federal Reserve.

Furthermore, an internal memo from a top Citibank analyst has been leaked. The memo poses one of two possible scenarios, both of which involve a complete financial meltdown.

For sources, look at my Digg profile under Favorites:

http://digg.com/users/rhealy

Most Americans assume we are just facing an ordinary recession. And they believe we can turn things around if we just work hard enough. This is blind optimism.

Of course, I could be a raving lunatic. Time will tell.

Farhad Khurshed

It's great that you've brought up this subject. Each person has his or her own definition of success. For some wealth and opulence equates to success, for others it could be excellent health and some may relate success to having a happy relationship with their wife and kids.

My parents for instance were successful in their goal of raising me to be a responsible adult and I am transferring this to our kids. Working in one organisation from 18 to age 58, my Dad brought home a decent pay pack, but no stress. We were a happy family, and now with a family of my own I refuse to chase money by working extra hours. Personally I don't think it's worth it. Instead I take the time to invest wisely, so I can grow what I've earned, without having to toil for it.

Ryan M. Healy

Wow! I went to get some family pictures and came back to some really great comments. Thank you.

@Paul - I'm getting ready to invest in silver. I'm not investing in paper -- I'm actually taking delivery of silver. Lots to say about silver... would take pages. In case you're interested, you can read my article "How to Survive the Collapse of the American Empire."

@Caleb - Hey, man! Haven't heard from you in a while. Thanks for dropping by.

@Rob - I believe we are witnessing the collapse of the American Empire. As such, the dollar will cease to exist. There may be a new currency to replace it. Study what happened when the Weimar Republic went bankrupt. Or study what's currently happening in Iceland or Zimbabwe.

@Tony - Hmmm.... if money were dirt. I'll have to think about that one.

@John - Thank you. The question definitely puts a little different perspective on how you would react.

@Terry - Thanks for the comment. Love your example of the average size of houses and how they've grown over time... while family size is shrinking!

@DK - When the dollar is worthless, I'll be listening to what God tells me to do. In the mean time, I'm investing in silver and acquiring some basic survival necessities.

@Perry - Thanks for the book suggestion. I actually believe the book of Revelation is nearly done. Although I believe there will definitely be some "labor pains" as we witness the transition to the Stone Kingdom.

@Nadin - Thank you for your comment. "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:11,12)

@James - Unconditional love is indeed hard to find. It is rare. The only person who embodies it perfectly is Jesus.

@Jeremy - Interesting exercise! My solution to what I call "the blahs" was having kids. I haven't experienced boredom since!

Jeremy Reeves

You hit it right on the head Ryan. People won't know what to do with themselves in this money-obsessed society (I'm talking about the USA - not sure how other countries are).

That's exactly why I meditate everyday and learn to control my emotions.

One exercise that I've previously done but don't much anymore (I really should more though) - is making myself as bored as possible ON PURPOSE, then trying to make myself 100% happy even though I'm bored out of my mind.

It's pretty fun actually - and usually works.

Jeremy Reeves
www.controlbeatingcopy.com

James Ranka

"True wealth is having meaningful relationships with people who love you unconditionally."

I hear of this concept, "unconditional love"; I can honestly say I've never seen it nor have I experienced it from another person.
First year, torrid romances don't count - I'm talking about long-lasting, personal and/or familial relationships.
What an "other-worldly" range of emotions and good feelings the lucky person who HAS experienced this or has it now in his/her life.
If anyone reading this has experienced
UNCONDTIONAL LOVE
tell me what it's like... please.

( Great stuff, Ryan. Like you, I believe we will see the day when the dollar IS worth less than the paper it's written on... we're close; maybe we're there, now and personally when the word becomes official, call me releived!)

Nadin Rath

Hi Ryan,

I always enjoy what you write and this surely is something that came from your heart.

However, I always flinch when someone tries to define "true wealth" , "true happiness" etc. These "Truths" are extremely "relative" and attempting to "box" it is, IMO, meaningless.

* Money can’t make you happy.
Lack of money can can make you extremely unhappy.

* It can’t earn your children’s love.
Lack of money could lead to losing your children

* It can’t give you a sense of meaning.
Lack of it will probably devoid your mind of any meaning about anything.

* It can’t help you answer the great questions of life.
Well, I don't know what are the great questions of your life - but use of money has been critical in answering (via research) of many many questions about our existence. On a less grand scale, it has been instrumental in providing answers to many of the pressing questions of my life.

But in all honesty, do I think money alone can answer any question that I may have? No and I don't know what can either.

* It can’t give you self-worth or self-confidence.
Lack of money will easily and quickly steal the last ounces of your self-worth and self-confidence. Trust me!

Thanks.
Nadin

Perry

Great article. Especially with the economic problems we (the world) face today.

I would recommend reading The Long Emergency by James Howard Kuntsler. He offers a different outlook than most people think about. My wife doesn't want to even think about the possibility. I'd rather prepare in advance.

As far as religious belief in Armageddon (what I suspect Ryan may be alluding to - and my wife believes is probably coming - when who knows) goes, money simply won't mean anything then. Another medium of exchange will need to be created.

I think I'll go turn the compost pile. :)

DK Fynn | More Than "Just A Co

This message resonates with me. I think that wealth is something that we are, simply because we come from a Source that is wealth.

There's a nice Tao saying that goes something like this: "When you realize that the whole world is yours, nothing is lacking."

But I would like to echo Paul: What will you do, Ryan, when dollars become worthless?

Terry Dean

Hi Ryan,

I think you really nailed it when you said, "Most people think their net worth is a reflection of their worth as people. "

It's sad, but it is so true. This is especially true as people start competing with each other for net worth or income. You'll see friendships and companies torn up off of the income level. What if one staff member is paid more than the other? It's all find until someone starts comparing...and then anarchy reigns.

It's kind of funny, but how many of us have purchased something in our lives to keep up with others or with an image we want.

A good example someone can look into is how the average American in 1970 lived in a 1500 square foot house while today the average house is 2305 square foot. At the same time the average family dropped from 3.2 to 2.6.

I wonder why we need so much more space and stuff?

True wealth is most definitely your relationship with God, your family, your friends, and contributing to others in a way that is meaningful to you.

John Thomas

You're right on with this article, Ryan.

And I like the twist in the exercise at the end of the article. Usually, I've seen the exercise as, "What would you do if money was not an issue because you have a million dollars in liquidity [or some such variation]?"

I like the variation on what would you do if money was not an issue simply because it's worthless (which I think is the likely end result of coming economic policies).

Gonna be chewing on that today.

- John

Tony Funderburk

Hey Ryan,
Interesting post Ryan. Yeah, it's not money, but the LOVE of money that's the root of all evil.

Don't love money. Don't worship bugs. And don't believe all the good or bad things people may say about you.

Don Henley had an excellent line in one of his songs...it went like this:
"If dirt were dollars, we'd all be in the black."

And I wonder if dollars were dirt, would we all dig in and work a little harder? ;-)

Robert Lehrer

I agree with many points in your article Ryan. I'm curious though, what you meant when you wrote "I believe a day is coming when dollars will indeed be worthless. Years of labor and billions of dollars in retirement savings will evaporate."

Are you talking about the current state of the economy or are you referring to something else? In a depressed economy, cash is even more valuable. Only in a deflationary economy or a takeover by another country would our currency lose a lot of value.

I'm looking forward to reading your intended interpretation of that statement of your's.

Best,
Rob

Caleb Osborne

Ryan,

Great article man!

It gets really hard to focus on the "stuff that matters" some times when you're neck deep in all the biz stuff... that exercise at the end of your post though -- about imagining if money wasn't worth anything is VERY interesting -- gonna do it today :)

Later
Caleb