Why do we seek wealth?

By Lanre Oyetade

We all have different reasons for seeking wealth. Substantial wealth acquisition will, for instance, afford us financial freedom and I guess, in this part of the world, where poverty is so prevalent, most of us seek wealth simply to be able to afford the good things of life.

After all, it is not money itself that is the end, but the things that money can purchase for us, or the claim that money affords us to have on the good things of life such as a good accommodation, good education, good healthcare, a few comfortable cars and financial security for our future and for those of our children. So all these things we desire are actually the objectives we wish to attain, which we believe money would assist us in attaining.

So our realisation that it is so that we can attain these good things that we need money will let us realise not just what we want the money for but how much of money we really need. It is therefore advisable to set out our objectives for wealth acquisition right from the onset such that when we finally attain the financial security of our dream, we know for what purpose the attainment is.

Itemising our objectives I will suggest that you have a private memo pad where you write your objectives for desiring wealth i.e. the things you would use your money for, once you have it. This would afford you the opportunity to revisit the list periodically in the future and check just how much of these objectives you really have been able to attain.

Let me tell you a little about my own reasons for seeking wealth. I have found myself in a profession (i.e. journalism) that may provide for your needs for the now, but that will not necessarily promise you any substantial income in the future i.e. post retirement, unless of course, you are forward thinking.

A futuristic objective
So, expectedly, my reasons for seeking wealth or, more specifically, money, are to provide for my old age and that of my wife, my children and other dependants. I also seek wealth so as to bring my vision of being instrumental in liberating men from mental and material poverty to fruition.

So, I write this down and periodically give it a cursory look to see how well I am doing.

Just how far will you go?
Knowing specifically why you seek wealth will also give you an insight into just how far you will go to get it. For I have heard of people who burn themselves out and use up their health in their search for money, only to afterwards attempt to nurse themselves back to good health with the acquired money. In my opinion, that is an irony anyone can do without, if his priorities are listed right.

When is it enough?
A realisation of why you seek wealth will also signal to you just when you have got ‘enough’. Amassing money for money’s sake is what causes money never to be ‘enough’ for some people, no matter how much they have gotten. I have read of several people, especially in the more developed countries, that retire from active work once they have met their target of wealth acquisition. It is thus not inconceivable to hear of some millionaires retiring from active work into what they enjoy doing, such as charity and travelling even before age 40.

So my friend, ask yourself the question today: Why would I want to acquire wealth and what sacrifice(s) am I willing to make to attain my wealth objectives? Your sincere answers will go a long way to give you direction in your quest for wealth.

An altruistic objective
And like I am fond to ‘preach’, one should have a big picture of the wealth acquisition and employment issue. One of the basic principles of healthy wealth acquisition is the realisation that wealth ultimately belongs to God and we are no more than caretakers and stewards of the wealth we might find in our possession.

Such a realisation and awareness will constantly remind us to be careful just how we acquire wealth and equally importantly about what use we put such wealth when acquired. Such a realisation will stop anyone from making money at any cost; people will then not be persuaded to defraud, backbite, kill or unleash terror in the nature of fake and adulterated drugs all in the desire to make money. And when the money is finally made, such awareness will direct one in the use to put it to, such that it would be used to the benefit of mankind and to the glory of God.

After all we all agree that it is He that gives the power to make wealth and also that God’s kobo is better than Satan’s naira! The much-awaited Club Inspirati inauguration will, God willing, come up on Saturday, June 21, 2008. All prospective members will be sent details via their email addresses and will be expected to be present at the event.

Cheers!