CHAPTER 1
The Gift of Money
MONEY 101
Money is the most misunderstood commodity in our society, even on our planet. People today understand the price of everything and the value of nothing. There have been more conflicts, divorces, and disputes over money than anything else. In order to begin to have healthy attitudes toward money, we must understand that it is nothing more—or less—than a neutral tool or vehicle.
Ultimate Advice
“Money is nothing more than a tool. It can be a force for good, a force for evil, or simply be idle.” This is one of the primary lessons Jason Stevens learns in The Ultimate Gift and it’s exactly where The Ultimate Financial Plan picks up.
It is also critical to understand that money is not inherently bad, unimportant, or irrelevant. Many have misquoted and misused ancient wisdom, proclaiming that “money is the root of all evil.” The context here is imperative: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil”1 is the actual quote, and the difference is profound. Nothing can take the place of money in the things that money does, but outside of the scope where money is useful, it has no value.
When it comes to your health, family relationships, or personal well-being, for example, money is of little importance. It serves us best when it is a facilitator of relationships, not an end in and of itself. This understanding will keep money and its detrimental pursuit in check. Once you see money with new eyes, you’ll use it better and more effectively. ...
