Is Money a Touchstone, Guideline, Barometer, Criterion, benchmark for Success?





Queen Ama's Debate © Reserved

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People say Money is not a yardstick for success, but yet so many wake up in the morning going to Jobs they hate all in the name of earning a living or cash. Money is part of Success, but how you make money, what you use the money for and how it influences you are another topic for debate. Why don't you work for free or sell those products without getting money for it? Happiness is a function of so many things!
Chinyere Egbule, Success Odinachi, Basil Enyenese and 4 others like this.


Michael      lol.....true talk.


Jon

Money isn't the primary measure of success but in our world today a lot of folks assume it to be so! Perhaps its not money that needs definition for you Ama, but rather success.

Success is being true to yourself and living to the best of your God-given abilities and talents. Money is a by-product of such success and not primarily a measure. A lot of great men and women that are worth mentioning till the Second Coming died without great wealth; namely Jesus, Prophet Mohammed, Ghandi, Shakesphere, Mother Theresa, Mark Twain, Socrates, Beethoven and so on. The list is endless. Where they not all successful? Was their bank balance a necessary measure of the extent of their success? Is a writer like Shakesphere any less successful than J.K Rowlings or is Mother Theresa any less successful than Oprah Winfrey?
We need a recalibration of the scales by which we measure success and money is a by-product and not the measurement symbol.
Yesterday at 10:03am · Like · 2 people



Maxwell       however u look at it, money is a means to success
                      Yesterday at 10:19am · Like

Jon

‎   @ Maxwell, again you're misguided. Money is not a means    to success. You can achieve success without money and you can make money and not be described as being successful. The two don't necessarily go hand in hand!
Yesterday at 10:24am · Like · 3 people



Ama

Jon, Money kick-starts everything you do. I remember you went to a private University in Nigeria where the regular poor Man cannot afford to take his child for education.

Today you own your company, writing articles in Nigerian Newspapers by the Grace of God. I wonder if you would be where you are today without money, and most important GOD blessing you with parents who had money to afford an expensive education.

Money is not only a by-product of success but required to develop success. Money is not bad but the love of money which leads you to do illegal things and kill for it is the root of all evil.

Mother Theresa, Jesus, Prophet Mohammed, Socrates, Beethoven you mentioned all are great people. You ever wonder why they are great? They simply touched lives; they were also simple people because of brokenness. When you are gifted beyond the average Man humility is the case. You are even overwhelmed with your abilities and understand this is not by your power.

Solomon is another great Man who had so much wisdom and wealth. Queen Sheba came laden with precious gifts because she had never seen such a Man in her time and drove a long distance to dine with Solomon. Solomon had enormous wealth not by his making but because his gifts made a way for him and likewise Joseph.

Jon, I am sorry but you need money to multiply money. Money is that raw ability fully processed to increase its earning capacity and increase its by products.

What is Poverty? Why are people regarded as poor?
Yesterday at 10:42am · Like

Maxwell

I quite disagree with u, I still maintain that, much as money is not an end in itself,but it is a means to an end,the BIBLE even said it that money answereth all THINGS and not somethings.
Yesterday at 10:47am · Like

Grace

D place of moni cannot b ovremphasied, even d bible says it answers ALL things.
Yesterday at 10:57am · Like


Okwuosa

Success is the value stick in termination of attempts or endeavors. Money is the measurement of success. Success can not be physically seen but can be valued by money. That's why salaries are used to measure the values of our success.
23 hours ago · Like


Maryanne

Very interesting discuss. I think u guys may have misunderstood Jon Pol who I don't know but agree with. I do NOT believe that money is or should be a measure of success. It definitely has it's place and indeed answers all things, but has never been or ever will be included in the definition or parameters for determining success when The Lord takes account (unless in a person,s particular case, creating wealth and building a financial base for the kingdom was one of the key graces, talents, or divine assignment u were created for...it is very personal! And u better know if itvfalls within ur pime purpose, otherwise u end up with billions and on the day, realize oops, I was created to change government, deliver societies thru governance, or raise kingdom changers by getting involved as a teacher earlybin their lives etc etc. Bottom line, money is important, but true wealth and success is knowing u were created to be and accomplishing it and it may or my not involve money. Poverty is not the lacknor absence of money, but rather the failure of internal belief systems (whether government or individuals) to find their place, and produce fruit/results. Lots of very rich Africans, but oh how poor compared to other nationalities who may have not much cash but have established discipline to produce tangible results. My own two cents contribution y,all!
23 hours ago · Like · 1 person



Jon

Well each one is entitled to his/her opinion. I've seen folks with money both earned, inherited misappropriated or stolen; others with huge salaries and whatnot still complain of the futility of life. Can that be called success?
23 hours ago · Like · 1 person



Maryanne

Nope. Certainly not. Success aint money, neither is money necessarily success. Important to define personally how much money u really need for ur purpose and what ur success parameters are.
23 hours ago · Like · 1 person



Ama

Poverty is the lack of money in the eyes of those who are affected by it. However, the reason for the level of poverty experienced by those Individuals is another topic. The Government and all responsible for putting the right machinery in motion to avoid poverty have failed to do so. When a Man has no money to afford 3 square meals a day, then it is a problem. Money is like any product you see and buy.

The only way for the government and others to produce fruit or results is through the same money. Why do you have a budget? The structure of any budget is such that you have a means for earning Income and how you spend that income. The money which comes into that system are accrued overtime to allow expenditure. Unfortunately, we have people who out of greed or other selfish interest misappropriate such funds.The resultant effect is the lack therein in the system affecting the masses.

Success could be measured by so many tangible and intangibles which you have all mentioned.These are all yardsticks for measuring success. Success is ambiguous and the reason you and I struggle on a daily basis is to attain success in various areas of our life from ones Marriage to Education to our Career etc. The tangibles qualifying success is that commodity called Money and so many other things which you have all mentioned.

Finding your purpose and that which you were made for is another ball game altogether. I would not like to mislead anyone. Faith without works is dead. A man cannot claim to have gifts, talents an ability and yet has no way of putting it into action. God makes a way even when there seems to be no way but he uses people like you and me to do those works on earth.

Money is like the air you breathe to stay alive. You cannot say the fresh air which you feel and touch is bad. Money is sure a means to an end. Money can be used as a yardstick to measure success.

The ability to produce good results with the money you have lies in the hands of every man and subject to other factors. A man who has failed in putting money into good use simply lacks direction, focus, perseverance, discipline and inner strength. These are the intangibles I earlier stated. They are also yardsticks for measuring success.

Money is a seed and if sowed in the right place, at the right time, for the right reason, and with a farmer who has direction will yield its harvest in due time. However, if a Man has sowed successfully and reaped abundantly is that a problem? That Man should be accorded and given the golden Medal.
22 hours ago · Like · 1 person



Maryanne

Queen AMA, it looks like we are not all debating the same topic...ur issue I thot was that money is a measure of success etc? To that I say, not necessarily in all cases. As ur friend said and I agree, u can be cash rich and still poor. Money is important, very very important but Not a measure or yardstick for measuring success!!! But, every man/woman to his/her own understanding and personal definitions. Thank God it is a free world.
22 hours ago · Like · 1 person



Ama


Mrs Okonjo, I beg to differ and still stick to my claim and assertion. Money is a measure of success and a good standard for measuring success. We are still debating the same issue, which is Money is not a yardstick for success but yet so many wake up in the morning going to Jobs they hate all in the name of earning a living or cash.

You cannot have money and say you are poor, it means you have not put that money into good use. Let us not deviate from the in-depth topic of discussion."Being cash rich" and poor is not the topic of discussion. "Being poor" is a different topic. Do you want to know why you are cash rich but poor is another topic. Money is part of Success! Please get a fresh re-read on the subject of discussion today.

We are definitely all allowed to our own views but it has to be completely tested and analysed to reach a conclusion which is what we have done with all our opinions. It is no surprise that we may occasionally deviate from the subject of our discussion to draw inferences.

Thanks for all your contribution!
22 hours ago · Like


Maryanne


An officer in the marine Corp, a researcher, a professor who raises great scholars and physicians, the president of the US and other advanced economies are not and cannot be measured by the amount of money they are paid, earn or acquire. Reason being the key factor or basis for judging success in the above instances is the impact or otherwise not the income which anyone going into those sectors know is not the best place for amassing plenty. When we finished law school, some went on to public service, some to private corporate practice, others criminal defense, NGOs, judiciary etc...if money was the key measure of success, then doomed from the beginning will be those who went to public defense versus their private corporate legal work...and yet each of these choices can be just as successful..the NGO person with his $200k dollars is just as successful as the big shot lawyer with his six figure billings, if the NGO worker is not lacking in sufficiency and an overflow to bless others. The bigwig can bill 6 figures and may or not be successful becos perhaps he has dissatisfied clients, or compromised his health to earn it. Bottom line, financial provision is a blessing which I receive and cherish but it is for me only a measure of success to the extent that I know I have been chosen for that expression as part of my divine destiny/ calling. I certainly will never or will try never to determine another,s level of success based on their lack or level of financial prowess especially if I don,t understand their assignment on this earth. Since for u, it is an important, then perhaps u were called to financial dominion, Walk in it and to God be the glory. Let each man work out his own walk.
22 hours ago · Like · 2 people



Ama

Mrs Okonjo, The starting point for Success is having purpose. In the beginning there must be a purpose and what is that purpose? You have outlined various purpose of Lawyers, great scholars, researchers, the president of US and advanced economies. However, none will be doing those jobs without a seed gingering them into giving out those services and of course passion. Most of the career paths you have highlighted are all paid and salaried employment. Some still work in professions they hate but to earn a living and not necessarily based on passion. We all make choices in life and some based on circumstances, passion, experience, money et c.
I am sure if you re-read the points I stated earlier money in addition to other factors are measures of success. Money is not the only factor for measuring success and even a primary school student knows that.

"Success" is the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. I am sure when people saw Jesus concluding his earthly purpose on earth being killed at the end we could say his health or life was compromised and that was not a good purpose.

We are strongly deviating from today's argument, Money is not a Yardstick of success but yet so many get up in the morning to go to jobs they don't like but all in the name of cash and to earn a living.

Perhaps what I can make out from your conclusion, the president of America, a researcher, great scholars and physicians get up in the money all in the name of passion to get their jobs done. Assuming this men felt money was not a yardstick to measure their success why don't they give their service free of charge. As a matter of fact you will find people in this day and age maintaining 4 to 5 professions all in the name of money and not necessarily passion.

God gives us grace to pursue, overtake and possess in our earthly journeys. Every Man's Journey is different and every Man's purpose is different. However, money is still required to do most things you need to do. It is Jehovah Jireh which makes that means possible.
21 hours ago · Like


Success

Udo,you are so on point! That's why in my last update I posted that success is not defined by how much money you have or how fat your a/c is...it's when you are working in the will of GOD for your life...
20 hours ago · Like


Ama

Assuming I gave a researcher or an economist to test this hypothesis raised this morning "People say Money is not a yardstick for success but yet so many wake up in the morning going to Jobs they hate all in the name of earning a living or cash. Money is part of the Success but how you make the money, what you use the money for and how it influences you is another topic for debate. Why don't you work for free or sell those products without getting money for it" .

The starting point for testing that hypothesis is gathering statistics on people's salary which is equivalent to money, their purpose, Why they work for money and not for free? Is money part of the success and why? Can money be used as a measure for success?

I will draw on my economics qualification to conclude on this topic.

How do you model money is not a yardstick for success?

I will use a two stage investigation.

1. Finding out those who go to work in the morning or are in business for money. How successful they are in their professions?

This gives rise to a sample selectivity problem since only employers who are paid well will go to work or fight for that high paying Job or business men who get more money for their goods and services will do such business.

Moreover it may help to find out why people work or do business in general.

That gives me a two-equation model for heckman selectivity probit model.

M234=X1β1 + £I (Primary Equation)

The variable name is M234 which takes (1, if money is a measure of success and 0 if money is not a measure of success).

WAPWFM= X2i β2 + µ (Selection Equation)

WAPWFM is another dependent variable defined as "Why are people working for money"? on the right side of that selection equation is X which would test many factors such as success, passion, to meet a need, gender, religion, Age, Character, discipline etc.

Guys! once my selection equation notices success that is it I am done and do not need to test the primary equation. The only way my primary equation can be valid is that success an independent variable is valid and sensitive in the selection equation test.

This will definately be a good PHD topic and subsequent recommendation to the necessary authorities like the Government. Common Man on the Street etc.

Love You All.
20 hours ago · Like

Abalaka

Ama though money is the essential element need in succed in life yet is still not the yardstick to sucess
19 hours ago · Like


Nedu

Shes basically yanin d answer (hmm ....I wonder wat combination of formulae I could possibly use to dissect such a complex function). JP, help me ask Ama if she ready to give up money for happiness or lets say, live below her perceived average Naija lyf style.
17 hours ago · Like


Ama

Mr Chime you are welcome to my aspirational world of wanting to know and hungry for knowledge. Please let me warn happiness is another ambiguous term just like success. These abstract terms Success, Happiness all end with the same consonants and you wonder if this is why we are finding it so difficult to pronounce or worst still understand.

Happiness is a function of money and many other factors like peace, health etc. Success is a function of Happiness and money as well. You cannot do away with money and happiness. You need both. You cannot be happy if you do not have money to meet your basic needs on a daily basis.
17 hours ago · Like


Ama

I was asked If I could live below the perceived Nigerian Lifestyle? Please what does that have to do with the above topic of discussion? Why should one who has been blessed by GOD aspire for average lifestyle? Mediocrity is a curse and I will never share in it and that is why it is a global world. You have got to ask GOD for your location where you can live a normal lifestyle which befits dignity and peace. Take care.
16 hours ago · Like · 1 person



Nedu

Boss, I dont mean 2 disregard GODs divine wisdom in ur debate but, why take to a spiritual dimension? 13 hours ago · Like


Ama

Mr Chime, It is only a fool that says there is no GOD. Hence my decision to take the spiritual route to appease my thoughts and ginger up my spirit man.13 hours ago · Like


Maryanne

A man or woman who instead of getting a top paying job at a law firm chooses to work as a public defender becos that,s where he fills fulfilled is no different from a person who works for free, simply becos the person could have earned more, in some cases so much much much more. Not everyone hates what they do and I have met people who actually literally not just in words but in action could care less about money. And they have it, but it is on a level of 1-10' almost on ground zero. Once again, emphatically, money can never be a parameter for success in everybody,s life. Impossible. Of course basic money is necessary for living in a normal world but that is not what I understand the discourse to be. As for working in a dead end job or one which one finds no fulfillment , it is for this very reason, poverty of the mind and thinking money equals success, that makes most continue to endure a job that saps them of all joy or energy. Rather live with passion on a lean purse if that,s what it takes (and it,s not necessarily the case) than live in bondage doing a hated job for CASh! M
12 hours ago


Abalaka

Mrs okonjo i must commend your comment on this topic your spoke my mind very well and elucidate on the topic quite right.
10 hours ago ·


Nedu

Udo thats deep.... that kind of wisdom comes from experience
7 hours ago · Like

Ama

Guys I guess you still do not understand the topic of discussion. A man says money is not important to him but yet goes to a job he hates in the morning all in the name of earning a living or earning cash. Why don't you work for free or sell those products as business man without earning money. Money is definitely part of success.

Mrs Okonjo again I say money is part of success. We love to deceive ourselves. If one says money is not important to them why do they go to that job they hate in the morning? or better still if the ultimate goal is fulfilment or passion why don't you work for free. You doing that business why do you go into it to make profit? Of course and without a shadow of doubt not everyone works for money.

There are so many charitable organisations in the world and NGO's yet so many will never work there. Speak for yourself It is not a topic based on a single person's style of living but multiple. Hence quite broad. However, to answer such based on your own experience and not based on the masses then that research is not valid.

Your conclusion might not be suitable for a man who is ambitious and seeking a 6 figure pay in wall street in New York or that Man seeking a Trading role in Canary Wharf here in London.

What I gather is you have chosen a particular segment to draw your conclusion. Those who work to be fulfilled and out of passion but not for money.

You agree money is important for daily living and a basic fundamental commodity driving nations. More so a very important landmark and determinant of success. Money is a seed you need it, it is a perk it drives you, it is also part of the fulfilment. Hence Money is a key factor for determining success to so many. However , they will never agree because it might just be an excuse for not having to say you are working on the job just for fulfilment and not for the money. Lies!

I wish we could live our lives on what it should be but forgetting what is actually happening in the hearts and head of these individuals.

Money is definitely part of success for those who are genuinely blessed with it.
2 hours ago · Like


Ama

Experience cannot answer such question or wisdom. This is a broad topic which affects so many in various ways. Hence, this is a fresh topic for a PHD thesis or Msc Thesis.

It should be properly sampled and sent across various segments of the society.

1. Housewives

2. Bankers

3. Business Men

4. Clergy

5. Ngo workers

6. Public Office workers

7. Photographers

8. Media workers

9. Sales Men

This is not a religious topic. Even churches today are driven by money. It should not be the case.

One cannot answer a research topic of this nature based on one's own experience, morals and ethics.

What is happening in the world? Why do people work on a daily basis? Is it solely for fulfilment? If so why don't you ask your employer to hold their money and you just come into the job and do what you are best at doing.

I use myself as an example. I recently just started my blog. I am so passionate about it and I have fulfilment knowing it is blessing people across the globe. I have drawn attention of so many and not necessarily trying to make money through my blog. Hence, you will see no advertisement for google adsense or amazon associates.

I write and have an editing package I bought with my money and all these service I am giving for free. That is true passion and that is fulfilment.

Guys I hope I have answered you all. Please broaden your horizon and do not take a single part of the bible to answer your questions. The bible is a complete book and you cannot read it like a story book. Please ask the holy spirit to teach you. Happy Sunday.
2 hours ago · Like


Ama

The purpose of an intellectual debate is not for anyone to win the debate. It is for people to bring to the table different angles to a particular troubling topic. So many learn from such debate. However, you have got to be open to other people's view.

This is the chat show series which will involve experts in different fields answering such questions and of course the common man on the street.
http://www.queenama.com/reel.htm
2 hours ago · Like


Ama


The only man I can think of that as ever given a major part freely for passion and to fulfil his earthly mission was Christ. He worked for free, highly passionate and would even fight in the temple to put things straight. He was not paid to give his life freely for everybody including pagans, Christians, Muslims etc. True to testify he was successful. He knew what he was here for, and highly focused. He was not carried away by the rich tax collectors and other kings who had money and rich because he knew where he came from and what he represented.

Christ had a purpose, he was fulfilled when he completed his earthly mission, and did not need money to do this. That is one in a million. Should we aspire to be so? Yes of course and if our purpose reflects that same step.

What you will find today are prophets, pastors, bishops would never work for free. Money drives them and seen to be successful if they can expand their churches, have a a bigger congregation seating in that posh building.The house of God will only be made possible from the tithes and offerings in the form of money we collect from the Church goers. Nothing wrong with giving offering as it should be so. One cannot over emphasize the importance of money in the hearts and heads of these men and most people.

For this reason even in my daily struggles to be successful in various projects I put none of them above Christ. I need money for my project but the ultimate success of my projects lies in the hand of the potter which is GOD. However, he has given me money which is part of the successful completion of my project and a by product which will be earned because it is a product most will reckon with and pay for.

Thank GOD for money, putting that money into the right use, giving us the right amount to kick-start ones projects, seeing the conclusion of those projects and earning a perk for it which could rake in tens , thousands, millions, billions or trillions as the case may be.

Can money be used as a yardstick for success? not in all cases!

However, it is extremely becoming difficult to find people who do truly believe money is not a yardstick for success. Hence, most will only give a part and not a major part of themselves for free. You wonder if it is not the desire to earn more and allocating a major part of their lives for something in return.
30 minutes ago · Like


Abalaka

ama how many books have you written so far? you are just embodement of talent. You touch every aspect of human life be it inspirational , social and logical you are good keep it up
25 minutes ago · Like

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