Is money everything?

Money will buy me a house, but not a house, a bed, but not a good night’s sleep.- Zig Ziglar

Is money everything? That was the title of my speech at a seminar in central London organized by Find Your Voice. Many professional speakers from all walks of life attended the conference and delivered messages that motivated and empowered people to take control of their lives. I was one of four speakers and the theme was “Money Makes the World Go Round”. I would like to share with you the opinions I expressed during the seminar.

One of the problems with success literature is that most of the time the word “success” is usually interpreted as material success or power. This generally includes the amount of money a person earns or owns; the type of car they drive and the size and location of their home. However, we must remember that true success is not just the definition of Hollywood!

Success is a journey, not a destination. The mistake most people make is lining up money with success. Money is just a medium of exchange and can never be measured alongside success.

I believe success can be divided into eight categories; they are: spiritual, health, family, career and business, finances, personal/intellectual development, personal needs and community. It should therefore be noted that true success is not only when you are financially rich, but rather when you are rich in all eight categories.

Money can buy you material possessions, but it cannot buy you happiness and peace of mind. Money is used in exchange for other things, but that paper money we spend (eg pounds, naira, dollars, etc.) is not the only money we should have. There are “moneys” hidden in each of us; the only problem is to discover that we have such “moneys” within us.

Consider this; if someone is only financially rich and does not have the intellect to make other wealth, or is not successful in family life and health, then the person is as good as being poor. Let’s not get too carried away with this simple medium of exchange – money – and disregard the other aspects of life.

I once knew a rich man who, despite his wealth, had poor health. He died despite the great financial wealth he had accumulated. Would you say such a man was rich? No why? Because he was only financially rich – it seemed to come at the expense of his health.

I was at the mansion of one of my mentors, Richie Dayo Johnson, in Netherne-On-the-Hill, Surrey and as we sat in his office that Sunday evening, I asked: ‘DJ (as I fondly calls him) tell me what money can and cannot buy. He replied, “Dayo, money can buy you a house, but it cannot buy you a house. Money can buy you a house. Money can buy you insurance, but it can’t buy you security Money can buy you entertainment, but it can’t buy you happiness Money can buy you medicine, but it can’t buy you good health. Money can buy you a bed, but it cannot buy you sleep. Money can buy you companionship, but it cannot buy you friendship. Money can buy you buy sex, but it can’t buy you love Money is called money because it’s designed to flow through you Money doesn’t change you; it only reveals who you really are.”

I totally agree with Richie Dayo Johnson. Besides that, I believe money can buy you a lot of women but it can’t buy you a good wife. He can buy you a good book, but he cannot buy you wisdom and knowledge. He can sponsor you in school, but he can’t buy you intellect. However, the things that money can buy are temporal, but the things that money cannot buy are, most of the time, eternal.

Who are you when you have money and who are you when you don’t? The bottom line is that money doesn’t change you; it just discovers you. Why not take some time to think about those things that money can’t buy; you might be surprised to realize that money isn’t actually everything?

Is your spiritual life in order? Do you enjoy good health? Are you in control of your finances? Are you developing intellectually? Do you give back to society? If you answer YES to all of these questions, you can confidently say that you are successful and therefore prosperous.

Now tell me, IS MONEY EVERYTHING? I put down my file.