Morrison Financial Services, Ltd.The following information is provided to give you a reflection of what means something to me and what moves my heart. My hope is that you too can gain insight or just enjoy the summary of scattered thoughts that helps guide my life. Tom
What is of Value
Many years ago, my wife Joan was reading to me while I was driving, and she read the following section from James Dobson’s book titled “What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew About Women". At that time I made a comment of how meaningful Dobson’s statement was. From there, Joan had a friend calligraphy the words, she added some potato painting, framed the quote and gave it to me as a gift which to this day hangs in my conference room.
“I have concluded that the accumulation of wealth, even if I could achieve it, is an insufficient reason for living. When I reach the end of my days, a moment or two from now, I must look backward on something more meaningful than the pursuit of houses and land and machines and stocks and bonds. I will consider my earthly existence to have been wasted unless I can recall a loving family, a consistent investment in the lives of people, and an earnest attempt to serve the God who made me.”
Dr. James Dobson, Jr., What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew About Women
A Little Fellow Follows Me
“The original of this was presented to me in 1936 upon the birth of my son and has been kept nearby since then.” John Wooden, UCLA
A careful man I want to be,
A little fellow follows me;
I do not dare to go astray,
For fear he’ll go the self-same way.
I cannot once escape his eyes,
Whate’re he sees me do, he tries;
Like me he says he’s going to be,
chap who follows me.
He thinks that I am good and fine,
Believes in every word of mine;
The base in me he must not see,
The little Chap who follows me.
I must remember as I go,
Through summer’s sun and winter’s snow;
I am building for the years to be
That little chap who follows me.
Author Unknown
While visiting a mutual fund family’s home office, I had the opportunity to meet John Wooden as he provided a motivational talk. At that time he shared the above poem which he personally used to remind himself of the importance of the life we live.
Favorite Sayings:
- “Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure does quiet the nerves.” Louie Armstrong
- “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim Elliott
Personal & Meaningful Biblical Financial References:
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:20
The Peril of Money
- “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life”. I Timothy 6: 17-19
- “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15
- “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I many have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” Proverbs 30: 8-9
- “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self?” Luke 9:25
- “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love (worship) the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24
Helping Others
- “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” I John 3:17
- “Even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.” II Thessalonians 3:10
- “He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.” Proverbs 28:27
- “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” I Timothy 5:8
Giving
- “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.” Proverbs 3:9
- “Remember this; Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” II Corinthians 9:6-7
- Thought -- Giving connects us to a greater purpose which is a major ingredient in personal happiness and giving is a character builder that counteracts corrupting greed.
- Thought -- Giving connects us to a greater purpose which is a major ingredient in personal happiness and giving is a character builder that counteracts corrupting greed.
- “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.” I John 3:18
Saving – Requires Work
- “In the house of the wise are stores of choice, food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” Proverbs 21:20
- “Go to the ant, O sluggard, you lazy person who won’t work, go to the ant, observe her ways and be wise. An ant has no chief officer or ruler but prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest.” Proverbs 6:6-8
- “He who tills his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty.” Proverbs 28:19
Spending – Debt & Responsibility
- Limit debt even though it can be a lot of fun getting into.