Money is not the enemy. Misunderstanding money is. I’ve spent my career around high performers and big dreams, and I’ve seen the same confusion over and over. People want to make money to care for family and do good, then pride gets in the way. We work harder, talk tougher, and miss the point. My view is simple: earn more so you can help more. Money is a tool for service, not a scorecard for ego.
“We screw up the money side of it. We get so busy working with this pride or ego saying I’m taking care of every they forget to actually take care of everybody.”
Money Is Meant To Move
My stance is clear: make a lot of money and give a lot of money. That’s not greed. That’s responsibility. When money moves through you to others, it multiplies impact. When it stops with you, it shrinks your world and your relationships.
I’ve advised athletes, entrepreneurs, and leaders. The ones who last treat money like a vote—every dollar votes for what matters. If we want better homes, safer streets, and stronger schools, we need more votes directed at the right things.
“How do you take care of everybody? You make a lot of money. That allows you to shop for the most important things.”
Some people say money corrupts. I don’t buy it. Money amplifies what’s inside you. If you’re driven by love and service, more money means more meals, more tuition, more relief, more chances. If you’re driven by ego, more money means more noise and less peace. The tool isn’t the problem. The user is.
What I Mean By “Shop For The Most Important Things”
When I say “shop,” I mean directing resources with intent. Here is what I prioritize:
- Time: pay for help so you can show up for your family and your community.
- Health: invest in care, prevention, and mental wellness.
- Education: fund learning for your kids and kids who aren’t yours.
- Safety: support housing and programs that keep people secure.
- Access: remove barriers for those stuck in the wait line of life.
These aren’t luxuries. They are multipliers. Each dollar here creates more choices for more people.
The Core Rule: Earn To Give
There’s a false choice out there: either you chase money or you care about people. That’s lazy thinking. Do both. Build real value, charge fairly, and direct the surplus to those who need it. If you want to test your priorities, look at your calendar and bank statement. They tell the truth. Do they point to service, or do they feed your image?
Here’s the line I live by:
“If you get a lot of money, not only can you shop for your own family, you shop for other people’s families.”
That’s the point. Care for your house. Then extend your table.
Quick Pushback, Quick Answers
“But isn’t giving time enough?” Time matters, but money scales speed and reach. When a clinic needs a new machine, your weekend won’t replace it. Your check might.
“Isn’t wealth unequal?” Yes, and we can fight that by directing more money to places that break cycles—education, jobs, safety, and care. We change systems by funding solutions.
How To Start Today
Make this simple. Set a giving target, even if it’s small. Add one percent every quarter. Tie it to specific outcomes so you can see the change. Build a habit that outlasts moods and headlines. Promote others. Pay people on time. Tip heavy. Teach someone what you know. Money moves fastest when we remove pride from the process.
My opinion won’t change: More good people need more money. The world doesn’t get better when caring people stay broke. It gets better when caring people get resourced and stay accountable.
Earn well. Give more. Take care of your family. Then help take care of everybody else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I balance making money with staying grounded?
Set clear values, give first, and review your calendar and spending each week. If they don’t match your values, adjust fast.
Q: What if I don’t earn much yet—can I still help?
Yes. Start small and be consistent. Even five dollars a week, plus time and kindness, builds a real habit of service.
Q: Doesn’t focusing on money risk feeding ego?
It can, unless you tie earnings to purpose. Decide in advance what percent funds giving and keep that promise no matter what.
Q: Where should I direct my giving for the most impact?
Pick causes you trust and can track: local schools, food security, health clinics, and programs that create jobs and skills.
Q: How can a business owner build this into operations?
Allocate a fixed share of profits to community goals, pay vendors early, offer learning stipends, and reward teams for service milestones.
