I still remember that day vividly. Standing at my mother’s door, tears streaming down my face, unable to speak the words that would change her life. When I finally managed to tell her I had lost everything—including her house—her response shattered my understanding of faith and success.
My mother didn’t panic about losing her home. Instead, she asked if I was okay and if I needed money. Her calm reaction confused and frustrated me. “Why am I being punished?” I cried out. I’ve worked so hard to give this to you. You don’t deserve this.”
In that moment of complete despair, I uttered words I never thought would come from my mouth: “I don’t believe in God.” What I meant was deeper than religious doubt—I had lost faith in the world of infinite possibility that my mother had instilled in me since childhood.
The False God of Material Success
For years, I had worshipped at the altar of financial achievement. My self-worth had become entangled with my net worth. Coming from humble beginnings—raised by a single mom with six kids—I had built myself into someone worth over $100 million. I believed my success validated me as a person.
But when it all came crashing down, I discovered how fragile that foundation really was. The metrics I used to measure my life’s value had vanished overnight:
- Financial wealth and material possessions
- Status symbols and recognition
- The ability to provide lavishly for my family
- External validation from peers and society
These were the gods I had been serving—false idols that promised security but delivered emptiness when they disappeared.
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My Mother’s Wisdom
What my mother said next changed everything: “Oh sweetheart, you believe in God. You just believe in the wrong God.”
Her words cut through my despair with stunning clarity. She wasn’t talking about religion in the traditional sense. She was pointing out that I had placed my faith in temporary, material success rather than the enduring values she had tried to teach me.
You believe in God. You just believe in the wrong God.
This simple statement forced me to confront the truth: I had built my identity on achievements that could be taken away in an instant. My mother, despite having so little materially, possessed a wealth of wisdom I had overlooked.
Finding a New Faith
That painful moment began my journey toward a more authentic form of success. I had to rebuild not just my financial life but my entire value system. The new foundation had to be unshakable—based on principles that couldn’t be wiped out by market crashes or business failures.
I started focusing on:
- Service to others rather than accumulation for myself
- Creating value instead of extracting it
- Building relationships that transcend transactional exchanges
- Developing inner resources that can’t be taken away
- Practicing gratitude for what remains when everything else is gone
This shift wasn’t easy. When you’ve defined yourself by external metrics for decades, it takes time to recalibrate your internal compass.
The True Measure of Success
Today, I understand that true wealth isn’t measured by bank accounts or possessions. My mother knew this all along. Despite raising six children on her own with limited resources, she possessed an abundance mindset that allowed her to face potential homelessness with remarkable equanimity.
Her faith wasn’t in material security but in her ability to adapt, persevere, and find joy regardless of circumstances. That’s the kind of faith that sustains you when everything else falls away.
I’ve rebuilt my financial life since that dark day, but more importantly, I’ve rebuilt my understanding of what matters. Success now means having the capacity to lose everything material and still maintain my sense of purpose, worth, and joy.
The lesson my mother taught me that day was perhaps the most valuable gift she ever gave me—more precious than any house I could have provided. She showed me that when we place our faith in the right values, we become truly unshakable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did losing everything impact your perspective on wealth?
Losing everything forced me to recognize that I had tied my identity too closely to material success. I now understand wealth as something more comprehensive than money—it includes relationships, personal growth, and the ability to maintain peace during difficult times. Financial resources are tools, not measures of personal worth.
Q: What advice would you give someone facing financial ruin?
First, remember that your value as a person remains intact regardless of your financial situation. Second, lean on your support network—the people who care about you beyond what you can provide materially. Third, use this as an opportunity to reassess what truly matters to you. Many who’ve gone through financial collapse later describe it as a painful but necessary reset that led to greater fulfillment.
Q: How did your mother’s response change your relationship with her?
Her response deepened my respect for her wisdom. I had always admired her resilience as a single mother of six, but seeing her calm in the face of potential homelessness revealed the depth of her emotional strength. Our relationship evolved from me being the “provider” to us being mutual teachers and students. I began to appreciate the wealth of wisdom she possessed that no financial success could match.
Q: What does “believing in the wrong God” mean in practical terms?
It means placing your ultimate trust and deriving your sense of security from things that are temporary or conditional—like money, status, or external validation. When these become your primary source of identity and worth, you’ve essentially made them your “god.” A healthier approach is building your foundation on values and principles that remain constant regardless of external circumstances.
Q: How has this experience influenced your approach to business today?
I now approach business with a service-first mentality rather than focusing primarily on wealth accumulation. I ask how I can create value for others instead of what I can extract. This shift has actually led to more sustainable success because it builds stronger relationships and reputation. I’m also much more careful about diversification and maintaining perspective about the role of business in my overall life satisfaction.
