I'm taking Accounting 200 as a part of my Business Management major; Professor Norm Nemrow is my teacher. He is one of the highest-rated professors there is at BYU, and I'm glad to have him as my teacher for accounting; it would be a lot harder with other people teaching it. Anyway, one of the supplemental lectures in the class had a really great message, and it tied in a lot with Craig's class , so I though I'd share it. It focuses primarily on financial independence. I'll try to re-create the message and add my own insight; remember that I'm going off of poorly-written, bullet-point notes.
Financial Independence
Norm (this is a lot shorter and easier to write every time than Professor Norm Nemrow) prefaced his discussion by talking about the true nature of wealth. to emphasize his point by telling a story recounted by Spencer W. Kimball. He had a friend who had many possessions, a large estate, and lots of riches. When he found out this friend has died, and he came to this friend's funeral, he noticed that all of his friends possessions were still there, as was the property and all his riches. Obviously this man hadn't taken any of his material possessions with him into the next life. President Kimball stated at a graveside funeral address, essentially, that this man's riches had kept him out of Heaven, because they had distracted him during his mortal life.
Coming from this story, Norm posed a question as to what was really ours. He then went through some things that we might now consider ours. Our riches aren't ours, because they, along with everything else on this earth, are of God's creation. Our time isn't ours, because God lends us breath, to state it as King Benjamin in the beginning in the book of Mosiah. our talents aren't ours, because God has given us the faculties and the resources to develop these talents, and they can be easily taken away. He concluded that the only thing that is really ours is our will. We shape this and exercise it through our gift of agency (which was also given to us by God, ironically), and the true test of this life is whether or not we will turn our wills to do that which God would have us do, and serve both Him and others while we are on this Earth.
From this idea, Norm concluded that the true reason to becoming financially independent is so that we can serve others with the time, resources, wealth, and talents that we have accumulated in this life. This idea goes right back to the point of choice, which is why I decided to write this particular article. Norm stated that once we get to the point of choice/financial independence, we should free ourselves from obligations and engage in the work that is most meaningful to us and help others.
The Problem With Wealth
Norm stated that there is a problem with wealth in that, after a while, it leads us away from true financial independence. He said that, after a while, we think that we, through our own cunning and might, have earned what we have, and we have a right to it. In essence, we become prideful, which is not conducive to reaching the point of choice, because we aren't likely to serve others when we think we are better than they are.
Going back to earlier, nothing we have is really ours; it all belongs to God. This idea should govern our actions, along with the accompanying belief that we are merely stewards over what God has, through his grace, given us. As is stated in the scriptures, nothing offends God more than not confessing his hand in all things.
Doing What You Love
Norm then talked about what to do when we reach the point of financial independence. He quoted president Hinckley, who gave counsel to do what you love, something that will wake you up in the morning and will keep you up at night. He said to choose to do something that you would do even if you weren't getting paid for it. After a while, Norm said, you will become an expert in that field because of your studying and your passion for it, and excellence automatically rises to the top.
Financial Independence
Norm (this is a lot shorter and easier to write every time than Professor Norm Nemrow) prefaced his discussion by talking about the true nature of wealth. to emphasize his point by telling a story recounted by Spencer W. Kimball. He had a friend who had many possessions, a large estate, and lots of riches. When he found out this friend has died, and he came to this friend's funeral, he noticed that all of his friends possessions were still there, as was the property and all his riches. Obviously this man hadn't taken any of his material possessions with him into the next life. President Kimball stated at a graveside funeral address, essentially, that this man's riches had kept him out of Heaven, because they had distracted him during his mortal life.
Coming from this story, Norm posed a question as to what was really ours. He then went through some things that we might now consider ours. Our riches aren't ours, because they, along with everything else on this earth, are of God's creation. Our time isn't ours, because God lends us breath, to state it as King Benjamin in the beginning in the book of Mosiah. our talents aren't ours, because God has given us the faculties and the resources to develop these talents, and they can be easily taken away. He concluded that the only thing that is really ours is our will. We shape this and exercise it through our gift of agency (which was also given to us by God, ironically), and the true test of this life is whether or not we will turn our wills to do that which God would have us do, and serve both Him and others while we are on this Earth.
From this idea, Norm concluded that the true reason to becoming financially independent is so that we can serve others with the time, resources, wealth, and talents that we have accumulated in this life. This idea goes right back to the point of choice, which is why I decided to write this particular article. Norm stated that once we get to the point of choice/financial independence, we should free ourselves from obligations and engage in the work that is most meaningful to us and help others.
The Problem With Wealth
Norm stated that there is a problem with wealth in that, after a while, it leads us away from true financial independence. He said that, after a while, we think that we, through our own cunning and might, have earned what we have, and we have a right to it. In essence, we become prideful, which is not conducive to reaching the point of choice, because we aren't likely to serve others when we think we are better than they are.
Going back to earlier, nothing we have is really ours; it all belongs to God. This idea should govern our actions, along with the accompanying belief that we are merely stewards over what God has, through his grace, given us. As is stated in the scriptures, nothing offends God more than not confessing his hand in all things.
Doing What You Love
Norm then talked about what to do when we reach the point of financial independence. He quoted president Hinckley, who gave counsel to do what you love, something that will wake you up in the morning and will keep you up at night. He said to choose to do something that you would do even if you weren't getting paid for it. After a while, Norm said, you will become an expert in that field because of your studying and your passion for it, and excellence automatically rises to the top.
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