FREE NEWSLETTER
Go to main Forum page »
As one saying goes, there are three things that should not be talked about in polite company: money, politics, and religion. Here at HumbleDollar, we are given license to discuss (politely) the first topic. And have we ever discussed money here! Pretty much any aspect of personal finance you can think of has been addressed thoroughly and intelligently somewhere on this website.
When the conversation has veered into the second topic, politics, the discourse can get a bit chippy. That’s understandable, given the well-known political polarization in this country. Since this isn’t a partisan website, there are many differing views among the readership. I’m happy the editor has emphasized that HumbleDollar is not the place for heated political arguments. Still, there are political aspects to personal finance, so the topic can’t be entirely avoided.
That brings us to religion. Some people cringe whenever God or the Bible is mentioned. They certainly don’t care to see these words on a financial website. If you’re one of them, you may not want to read further.
I’ve enjoyed writing about my financial life on HumbleDollar. In many articles, I’ve shared specific financial experiences or discussed my approach to a particular aspect of financial life. But the truth is, how I think about money is intimately related to my faith.
There’s a tension I struggle with as I attempt to seriously consider the words of my master: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
The flip side is that this tension is a good thing. What I really want in my innermost being is not to have an “abundance of possessions” or to be as wealthy as possible. I want contentment with what I have. I want my heart to be oriented to where real treasure is. I want peace with God.
I still have my financial spreadsheets, and as an engineer I continue to enjoy compiling and manipulating data. One of my spreadsheets contains a net worth graph. It has been slowly but steadily rising over the decades. Still, I know how the graph will end—for me. My father and mother experienced the same phenomenon. Someday in the future, maybe not that far off, my personal financial net worth will drop to zero in an instant.
I find it helpful to keep this in mind.
Your net worth may drop to zero, but that does not mean your accumulated wealth disappears as it may do more good to help others- family, charities perhaps?
Accumulated wealth does not necessarily translate to greed or accumulation of useless possessions. I find comfort in the quest to help others now and in the future with whatever I can accumulate which I will continue to pursue.
I don’t need more, I don’t even need what I have, but others do and will, so the more I can accumulate, the more I can share.
Years ago we had a minister who preached on the subject of contributions on our annual “commitment Sunday”, the day we make financial pledges for the next year. My wife and I both remember his statement “he had never seen a Brink’s truck behind the hearse in a procession to the cemetery”.
Ken, one of the reasons I missed your posts, is that I recognized and respected the strength of your spiritual outlook.
Thank you for a lovely post.
Ken, I’m certain that some of my favorite contributors and virtual friends here on HumbleDollar have political and religious philosophies that are contrary to my own. I think it’s a testament to the culture here that we respect and are accepting of one another.
Some words tempt us to move outside the bounds of civility, don’t they? Thanks for an encouragement toward contentment, Ken.
Thanks Ken for reminding us to keep things in perspective and putting first things first. Every religious tradition I know of has reminders of how to value and prioritize riches. One of Islam’s five pillars is zakah, the practice of giving away a percentage of one’s net worth (usually 2.5% ) to those less fortunate, the Christian practice of tithing promotes giving away 10% of one’s income and the Buddhists practice dana or generosity in all they do.
The noted Rabbinic sage Ben Zoma would have agreed with you. “Who is rich?” he asked, rhetorically. “Those who are happy with what they have” Words to live by!
Thanks, Ken, for helping readers to keep the pursuit of ever-greater wealth in perspective. Still, I’d be remiss if I didn’t offer one modest correction. You start by saying that, “As the saying goes, there are three things that should not be talked about in polite company: money, politics, and religion.” There is, of course, a fourth taboo topic: sex. I can’t ever recall a HumbleDollar thread on the topic — thank goodness. But lest any readers are feeling in need of an ego boost, let me offer this article from 2018.
Forbes says more retirement hanky-panky can lead to a happier retirement:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2014/09/03/more-sex-and-3-other-tips-for-a-happier-retirement/
John, thanks for the link. Interesting article. My response…it’s not over until it’s over.
Who knew a boring index fund could be a turn on!