I have a buddy named Matt. One day Matt and I decided we wanted to hit up the movies. I walked over to his place that was just down the street, he was going to drive us to the movies since at the time we had one car and my wife had taken it to work. When I arrived at Matt's house he had just pulled out the radiator from his car. I was kinda ticked, I'm a movie snob and don't like to miss the previews, but in my mind we were totally hosed with no transportation. We weren't going to miss the previews; we were going to miss the whole dang movie! He clearly could sense my tenseness as I arrived, he immediately proclaimed we'll be out of here in 5 minutes. I didn't believe him. I then watched as he pulled the new radiator out of the box and with tools in hand fixed and tightened the necessary connections, poured in the coolant and we took off. I was floored that the car worked.
Obviously as the story testifies I grew up deficient of skills my friend had acquired. The wrenches in my hands have far less value than they do in Matt's. A football in Patrick Mahomes hand is worth 507 Million over the next 10 years. In mine, about $50 bucks assuming it's a nice one. A sling in my hand becomes a plaything at best. In the hands of young David he can slay a Giant and defend a nation and rise to the throne. A pen in the hand of Shakespeare creates sonnets and stories that have been revered and will continue to be revered for centuries. Tools do not bring value or power, even though some tools are literally called power tools. The value and power are held in the one who holds the tool.
Money is simply a tool. Money can do a lot of things, but the true value and power of money is held by the steward of that money. As stated on the "about" page "Money has incredible power. It can enslave individuals, ruin relationships, incite divorces, cause riots, and be the linch pin for the downfall of cultures and empires. Money has the power to create opportunity, experience, and freedom. It has the power to heal generations from disease, and spread literacy throughout the world." I know that probably sounds dramatic, but it is none the less true.
Matt, developed skills to give power and value to the wrenches in his hands. Have I become as skilled as Matt since our brodown movie outing 15 years ago? No. But I've come a long way. The good news is we can learn line upon line and precept upon precept here a little and there a little. All of us have to deal with and interact with money. How are our skills? How much time do I put into honing my money skills each week? Money is not inherently good or evil, it doesn't make decisions or have character. You do.
Do good, be good, cheers!
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