Saturday, August 30, 2008

It's Selfish To Be Broke

I remember the first time I heard this. It was a little startling. (Maybe you're reacting that way right now, too.)

But, it's true: being broke is the most selfish thing you can do.

Why? Because it forces you to focus all your energy and creativity on survival...how to rob Peter to pay Paul....how to keep the wolf from the door....how to take care of your bills....

A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that "wealthy people only think about money". And I'm sure that's true of some people. But it's certainly not true for most. The truth is that NO ONE thinks about money more than broke people. It's all they can think about!

On the other hand, one of the most generous things you can do is to choose to be wealthy. By doing so, you can actually become a contribution to other people's lives. Sure, you can have a more comfortable lifestyle. But you'll have all kinds of wonderful opportunities to give money to worthy causes.....to give gifts to people you love....to assist others who need it and can't help themselves....

You can donate money to a library for new children's books.
You can give money to victims of a Hurricane.
You can drill a well in Bangladesh so village children don't have to walk 5 miles for fresh water.
You can donate to your local church or synagogue or whatever.
You can start a scholarship to assist students with college tuition.

There's a lot you can do by choosing to be wealthy. But if all you can focus on is how you're going to pay YOUR bills this month....then you're not able to assist anyone but yourself.

This concept made me mad when I heard it...because I didn't like thinking that being broke was a "choice" (it is) and that I was being selfish (I was).

But if you'll think about it without attaching emotion to it....I think you'll see that it's true.

The great thing is that being poor and being wealthy are CHOICES. And at any time, you can make a new choice.

Tony Rush

1 comment:

Ken Ellis said...

Tony,
Right on target brother. Life is a choice.