Financial Blessing or Curse: What is enough?

When we die, we generate a financial blessing or curse for those we leave behind. Therefore, we must address the question; “What is enough”? I attended a conference on financial stewardship a couple months ago and this topic was discussed at length. The question of “what is enough?” to financially bless or curse your heirs is a bit rhetorical and does not have a definitive answer.

Your answer to this question will be different than mine.

What IS enough?
Over the last few months I have been contemplating this question. What is enough for my family and I to live comfortably and properly plan for the future? We are not wealthy people by American standards. However, how do we measure against the rest of the world? Considering that over a billion people make less than one dollar per day, I conclude that my family is in the top .05% of the wealthiest people in the world! I don’t want to dive too deep into the poverty question. Needless to say, I believe that you are not ‘poor’ by world standards if you have running water, cable TV, internet and an automobile. (The US Government will disagree, but here is a link to a study that gives insight into poverty in America).   Ask yourself;

• What is enough to live on and enjoy life?
• What is enough to leave my family when I die?
• Is there a way that I can leverage my wealth and income to serve those who literally have NOTHING?

Note: This is a self-directed process. I DO NOT believe the Government should have a role in where your money goes when you die.  If you do not create a plan for your money, the Government (IRS and courts) will make the decision for you.

Financial Blessing or Curse?
If you die and leave your 24 year old child $2 Million dollars, are you providing a financial blessing or curse? I know some very responsible and hard-working 24 year-olds. I don’t know any who’s life wouldn’t be dramatically altered by such a large sum of money at such a young age. While money may not change a young person’s basic character, it has the power to change their work ethic and sense of self. We often fool ourselves into thinking that leaving huge sums to individuals is an act of love. While it may be well intentioned, this act can have devastating effects. So, is leaving $2 Million dollars to a 24 year old a blessing or curse? What if you left the child $1 Million in a trust and the rest was leveraged for an organization that brings food and medicine to starving people? Perhaps your can leverage your wealth for a Kingdom Cause you care deeply about?  It’s an important subject to think about.

You can also curse your family by not planning properly. Please see my previous post; You are dead… Now What? to read more about proper planning using life insurance.

Have you ever considered the question; “What is enough?”