Responsible Cash Flow

 

Scouts and Scouters face a real threat that comes with the achievement of their dreams. That is a success. Especially financial success. The sudden gain of wealth has ruined many a well-intentioned person. Just as we talked about being prepared for success, you must be prepared to handle wealth as well. Money is like fire. If managed and controlled correctly, it can do great good. If misused and allowed to go wild, it destroys everything in its path.

Allow me to point out three things all Scouts should remember about wealth:

One is that money is never meant to be used to compete with another’s lifestyles. O. Donald Olson said, “The average American is busy buying things he doesn’t want with money he doesn’t have to impress people he doesn’t like.” The Scouter, who knows how to handle wealth, never allows his or her lifestyle to run ahead of their income. They are thrifty, practical, and live a comfortable everyday life.

“If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out

almost every other area of his life.”

Billy Graham

1918-2018

Evangelist

 

Second, wealth is a blessing and should be enjoyed. I am not talking about spending it on big houses and little cars, but to be able to live a life that you want and free from the burdens of debts. Scouters who have achieved wealth should never be in debt. Scripture tells us that the debtor is a slave to the lender. Wealth allows you never to be a slave again.

Third, and the most important, wealth is the result of hard work and achievement. It comes from the service you provide to others. Never allow wealth to distract you from that. Never stop working and serving others. Henry Ford said, “Wealth, like happiness, is never attained when sought after directly. It comes as a by-product of providing a useful service.” Never make money your goal. Money in itself is useless and far too unstable. Make your goal to serve others and provide a useful product. Let wealth be the reward of your hard work, not the cause of it.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey