Ambition, Patience, and Providence.

[2ndRateMind]

So, this is a somewhat whimsical thread.

And I preface it with the confession that I want to be a millionaire just as much as anyone else. Maybe more.

But, as I look back on my life, it seems to me that I have spent most of my working years hustling for money. I have had successes, here and there, and failures, here and there. But, though at times I have been outrageously poor, I have never really had to go for long without basic necessities. On the other hand, not having the capital to fund my various business projects has been a constant frustration. So, in retrospect, the following principles seem to have applied:

God's providence is enough for us all to meet our needs..

Human ambition (what we want) exceeds God's providence.

We can either a) accept that, and rein in our ambition, or b) pursue our ambitions, our wants, relentlessly and ruthlessly, regardless.

If we choose a), as I am gradually learning to do, we discover something nice. God gives us what we want, if it is good for us,  just as soon as we no longer want it. It seems to be His way of curing greed.

If we choose b), as all my business training informs me we ought, we discover something nasty. We might get what we want, but only by causing damage to our own spiritual stature, the prospects of everyone else around us, and the natural fabric of the world.

I wonder if anyone else has detected similar principles operating in their own lives, or whether this is just something personal between me and God?

Best wishes, 2RM.

 

 

Edited June 14, 2018 by 2ndRateMind

[MrShorty]

Perhaps I am at the opposite end of what you describe for yourself, so I will throw this into the discussion. I find that I am not ambitious. I don't find that I am frustrated by "multiple business propositions that I would pursue if I only had the capital." I find myself looking at those business propositions and thinking that it is just too much work to even try. I find myself content with a somewhat dead end job (sometimes wish it had more job security) with little ambition for something bigger/better. My "ambitions" might be more towards the "welfare addict" types, where I think I could be quite happy to sit home and get paid just enough for not working.

I agree with you that there is one side of human nature that gets too ambitious for its own good. I think there is also a side to human nature that is slothful and lazy and wants to get something for nothing. For someone like you, there is value in learning the value of realistic expectations and moderating ambition. For someone like me, there is value in learning how to be ambitious -- at least enough to find a productive and meaningful way to contribute something to our families, communities, and society. Perhaps, like so many other "balance" topics, the truth lies in finding the right balance between too much ambition and not enough ambition.

What do you think?

[2ndRateMind]

I think, MrShorty, if you are happy with what you have, and what you have makes you happy, (and I am not just talking material stuff), then you have discovered one of the secrets of life.

Another of those secrets, disclosed to me by a college friend long ago, is that, unless we are very rich, we either have time or money, but never both simultaneously. I cannot see that either choice is inherently evil, only that a good balance between the two is desirable.

Best wishes, 2RM.

Edited June 14, 2018 by 2ndRateMind

[Just_A_Guy]

I pick option c—channel the ambition in a healthy direction and balance it amongst other priorities:

Jacob 2:18-19:

18 But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.

19 And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good--to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.

I don’t think this guarantees righteous people that they will be fabulously wealthy; and certainly there are going to be external sucker-punches that might throw our financial lives off-track no matter how prudently we try to live.  But I think that in a relatively free economy such as what prevails in most of the western world, people who a) are fundamentally honest and hardworking, b) avoid unnecessary conflict/drama, and c) are able to avoid certain lifestyle traps (living beyond your means, unwise investments, drugs, etc);  over time will generally be able to get into a position where they will have enough and to spare and will leave their kids in a better position than they themselves had.

Edited June 14, 2018 by Just_A_Guy

[Still_Small_Voice]

I may possibly get to one million dollars in investments if my wife and I continue on our current savings plan and average a twelve percent annual interest rate in our mutual fund.  It will take a long time.  I will be about 63 years old by the time we hit this accumulation and it won't be enough for complete retirement.  Medical costs, property taxes, and other various expenses with inflation factored in I will need more.  You want to just spend the interest of your investment and not any of your nest egg you have accumulated to make it last.  Social Security retirement money is not something I am even counting on being there.

[Grunt]

Don't forsake your family in pursuit of their support.

[2ndRateMind]

22 hours ago, Just_A_Guy said:

 

...Jacob 2:18-19:

18 But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.

19 And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good--to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted....

I couldn't agree more with this scripture. It is (most of) the reason why I want to be a millionaire; because I think I could deploy such capital better than the currently rich currently do.

Best wishes, 2RM.