14. To be Rich, At All Costs

In Thomas S. Monson's talk, "Finishers Wanted", the crucial question is posed: "Shall I falter or shall I finish?"

The path of mastery is described as an endless path, one that has no finish, no goal, no destination. In the long run, we believe in a similar concept, the principle of eternal progression, where there is no end or damnation to continuing to progress and grow forever. However, the "endless path" can easily be misunderstood or misapplied, leading one to aim for nothing at all, and suppose that the only thing of importance is the existence of the path, not regarding in which direction the path does or does not lead. The "end goal" we often reference is the one we will have attained by the end of our lives, with the understanding that life does not ultimately end after this mortal life, but goes on into the spirit world, into the resurrection, and on to eternal glories. At the same time, we ought not put off what is given us to accomplish here in the time that has been allotted unto us. If we put it off, supposing that we can accomplish life's tasks after this life, we will find that the opportunity will have been forfeit forever, and it cannot be done later. There is much for us to do in this life that can only be done in this life, and either we will falter or finish. There is great power in the ability to finish and fulfill, while we press on in the path of eternal progression, and endure to the end. And if we really know what "the end" means, it meaning the end of this life, but not the end of all things, the test is to endure always. 
It is the quality and virtue of integrity. We are to accomplish the task appropriate for this day, and endure and be steadfast today, but not today only; And that for this week, but not this week only; this month, this semester, this season, this year, but not this year only. Not this decade only, not this generation only, not this life only. What amount of time will prove the quality of our being?

In studying about Tom Monaghan, it was interesting to see what caused such a great turn in his life, and the cause for which he gave away his money. C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity has also been a monumental influence in my life. There are many points in the book that "hit me between the eyes", and cause me to reflect and if necessary, change course. Tom Monaghan was successful in his career, and had amassed a lot of wealth, but at a certain point, he realized what the true indication of wealth was, and that it wasn't money and possessions.

For Tom, he was enabled to make such a big impact because he had accumulated so much wealth. That is not the case for everyone. In fact, some of us who wish to make a great impact cannot give more than a widow's two mites. We cannot give what we have not received. So we must first have much in order to give much. Here is where the teaching of King Benjamin comes in: It is not that we should not seek for any riches, or only a little, but that our intent should not be just for the increase of riches. Rather, our intent should be to gain riches in order that we can give to those in need. I'm sure Tom did not (yet) read King Benjamin's address, but he learned this same lesson.
I want to be rich. I want to have lots of money. Why? Why do I want to be rich and have lots of money? First, it is so that I can provide for my family. Right now, this is all I am able to do, but I can't afford to stay as I am. I have a small family now, but it will certainly grow, and so must my ability to keep the command to provide for them. I also want to be a support to my extended family. Everyone has troubles, and there is never a break from there being one anxiety and difficulty after another. I want to be able to serve my brothers, sisters, parents, cousins, and so on, whenever they are in need of help. I can't do that if I have nothing to give. I want to give more. Though giving will of course improve their opinion of me, it is not for that reason that I want to give. Yes, it will improve relationships, but I want to give because it is good for the soul. It pains me to see people suffer, and it is the love of Christ that leads me to try to relieve suffering. I begin with my family, and when my family's needs are met, I expand to my extended family. When their needs are met, I extend to my friends, then to those whom I do not know, and so on. I want to be rich, so that others can be rich also. 
But what I have, I will give, even if it is little, and I may still find that I am rich.

If I had one final lecture to share what I have learned from this course, one last bit of advice, direction or caution, what would I say?
I would say that the most important things that I learned in this course was that in entrepreneurship and in life in general, the most important step is to define the course and stay on it. Decide to do something and become someone that is of great benefit and leads others to be better also. When you have determined your purpose and your path, then stay on it. Stay on it at all costs. Everything else in this course serves towards this end, to live a fulfilling life, a life of meaning. That life of meaning and grand purpose is found in doing the will of the Lord. This is agency. This is why we are here. If you lose that, you've lost everything. All the other lessons, whether practical or in principle, are the details of how to get to this point. The kind of job you have, the kind of person you are, how you build your business, how you adapt, how you grow, how you manage your resources, how you interact with others and so on, should all be aligned with the ultimate purpose of one day standing will confidence before God, and not with shame. It really is the Kingdom of God or nothing. Let this aim guide your decisions. So fix your aim aright and stay the course at all costs.