I have recently and often thought about issues that deal with the stewardship of wealth.  I have noticed for myself that there was a learning curve in dealing with financial success.  The issues come up because as you grow financially the people you associate with may not be growing as fast or at all.  With that, things change in the way you relate to them and how they relate to you.

This is true of all change as it occurs in your life—children, marriage, occupation change, physical health, etc.  Things just change and there is a ripple effect around you.  Wealth is one that seems to carry a large ripple effect and its implications can be sticky.

One major battle I waged as I gained financial wealth involved one of my character flaws.  That flaw comes from my lack of self confidence because since childhood I have assumed that my achievements are the major contributors to my significance as a human. I have often been somewhat of a braggart, and it comes from my unhealthy need to be recognized for things outside myself.

When I became wealthy it was a real battle for me to keep my mouth shut.  I effectively alienated people around me, especially new people I met.  The key for me was to understand that wealth, as is true of anything external, does not define you.  You are defined by your character and your choices. I strive for humility, but sometimes fall short even today.

Another thing I noticed of both myself and others was an assumption associated with the stewardship of wealth.  There was an expectation of generosity because you had the ability.  This didn’t come up too much among long time true friends, but it was there, subtle and silent, but there.  The funny thing is that I expected it of myself as well, and that sometimes resulted in bad choices. The catch was the expectation, both by me and other people.  Generally, decisions based on expectations are rooted in dysfunction.

What wealth boiled down to for me, as the newness wore off, was that I felt a duty to be a good steward of wealth, but I was just the same guy with new options.  The decisions I made were based on different criteria, but that’s true with all change. There is a learning curve.  I think it’s just that with wealth more people pay attention because of the emotional charge that comes with financial success.  Other than the fact that I’m a child of God, it is my character that defines me. Wealth really has nothing to do with it; it will take care of itself.