If money was a thing of the past, what would you do?

@hdjohnson (2981)
United States
February 7, 2009 12:11pm CST
After you have paid all your debts and bought the house, cars, big screen tv, etc..., for you and possibly all the family members that you can think of. What would be you next step? Would you quit you job? Would you give any of it to charity? I have been taught by my Pastor, that if this were to happen to many people around the world, that the money would ruin their lives within a couple of years, if that. We all have heard of the huge lottery winners, but because they didn't know any better, they blowed all the money on things, that didn't bring them more money or didn't even help anyone with their new found riches? It reminds of a scripture in the book of Proverbs, where is says something to the nature of "Prosperity ruineth the fool!" What's your response to this discussion?
3 people like this
15 responses
@Jae2619 (1483)
• United States
7 Feb 09
I'd put the rest in the bank for that rainy day... and for my kid's college. I am a stay at home momma, so I coudln't really quit my job, and even though my husband would love to, he wouldn't either, he enjoys work too much. We'd keep on living the way we were before we had gotten the money. Greed is one of the biggest mistake made when getting large sums of money, people feel they have to have everything once they get the money, instead of putting it away for those moments when they need it, or when a family memeber really needs it.
2 people like this
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
8 Feb 09
Great way of sharing the wealth. A good plan indeed!
1 person likes this
@hotsummer (13835)
• Philippines
8 Feb 09
that is really true. we should really save for the rainy day. i think that money does not necessarily ruin a person can make us more at ease in life that we tend to forget to work hard like before. and take things or life for granted cause we have more money. that is why i just wish to have enough money to survive and live life simply without being in want. i don't wish to be rich or extravagantly rich as of now cause i feel i am not prepared for it. i know myself and i know too much money will not do well for me yet.
1 person likes this
7 Feb 09
Hi, I would travel the world, help my family and friends, spent as much quality time with my children and enjoy life! I would give to charity but I would prefer to do it personally. My dream is to help a poor Thai village and get to know the people I am helping:)
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
8 Feb 09
I'm sure you'll get the opportunity to help as big as your dream will allow you to see. After all if you can dream it, you can achieve it.
• Philippines
7 Feb 09
I will put my money in the bank. Some I will donate in charity. Some I will invest in a business, perhaps food business. I will follow the saying "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." Yeah, Prosperity can really ruin the fools, but if you are not a fool it won't ruin you. You cannot say that riches can ruin all of those people who have it because not all people are foolish. It is just right that we share our blessings to others, especially to those who are in dire need. Well, for me, I don't have to win a lottery to help others. If I have spare money I would really love to help someone who are in need. Being able to help someone is such a great feeling. When you help someone financially, you lose money but you gain something that cannot be bought by money, that is gratitude and self respect...
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
7 Feb 09
"You cannot say that riches can ruin all of those people who have it because not all people are foolish." I never said that in my opening discussion It is just right that we share our blessings to others, especially to those who are in dire need. Well, for me, I don't have to win a lottery to help others. If I have spare money I would really love to help someone who are in need. Being able to help someone is such a great feeling. When you help someone financially, you lose money but you gain something that cannot be bought by money, that is gratitude and self respect... I couldn't have said it better than you put it yourself, and I agree with this part. I would invest and not put a large sum of it in the banks, as we have seen they are turning out to be corrupt and bad businesses.
1 person likes this
@Valenas (1507)
• United States
7 Feb 09
I would keep my job. If I had everything paid off, I would save up until I could afford to move into a really big house overseas. And if I really had a huge sum of money, I'd buy a huge ship and live on it with my friend. I'd also like to buy an island and put a house there, one that was north enough that hurricanes would not be so likely to hit it.
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
7 Feb 09
Would you still be on mylot? Nice dream, thanks for sharing.
1 person likes this
@gracie04 (4549)
• Philippines
7 Feb 09
I'd keep some of the money, start a small business(gadget or food business), then i'd donate to our church and charity, help the needy, help cancer patients, help the elderly, etc...
• India
7 Feb 09
i will use the money to help the poor, maybe for educating poor children or something like that. Too much money is not good and you are nevr gonna be happy. So why not use it to help others. I believe that if you can help atleast a single suffering fellow human, your life becomes meaningful...
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
7 Feb 09
Such a great response, one that I agree with wholeheartedly. BTW Welcome to mylot.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
8 Feb 09
Well, what you are saying is so True. That money can ruin so many people if they choose to let it control them, and winning the Lottery for a lot of people is more than they can handle. I feel God gives to us what we need, and if he was to feel we would be better off without $$ then he will have things happen to show us it is more important in life to learn to Trust him for everything instead of man as man will fail you but god will never fail you. So if I was to have something happen to where I had no $$ as long as there was a way that my needs were taken care of, I would continue to Praise God for what I do have and just move on as things were normal as well.
1 person likes this
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
9 Feb 09
You're right, we should Praise God no matter what, if we have or have not. He is definitely worthy, and he never fails!
@AmbiePam (86266)
• United States
8 Feb 09
Well, 10 percent would go straight to my church. Then I'd pay off my parent's house. Then I would take myself off of disability because I'd be able to pay for everything I would need. I would have so much fun taking care of those in my family who need help. My parents have no health insurance. My dad is a pastor who doesn't get health insurance, and my mom is currently not working. And I'd start a charity. Of course I'd buy my own house, with a yard. I've always wanted a yard. But it would be a small house because I'm just one person. And I'd also start a no kill animal shelter.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (86266)
• United States
8 Feb 09
Yeah, I'd have to have a lot of money to do all that. lol I think the charity I would start would be kind of unique. It would be for people who are too poor to have their needs met, but yet to "rich" to get help from the government or any organization. You know what I mean? A lot of people are trapped in bad siuations due to health problems and unexpected lay offs, yet they don't technically qualify for help. I know several families like that. Also, have you ever heard of the Jesus House? It's a charity for the homeless, but gets no funding from the government of course because of its Christian affiliation. There are so many charities like that who are struggling. I would like to support them as well.
1 person likes this
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
8 Feb 09
Wow a "no kill animal shelter" sounds expensive, as I'm sure that all of the animals that need the help would be rather expensive to nurse back to health before finding them a home. Kudos for your 10 percent to the church being your first thing you would do. Then your parents would want you to stay with them, I'm sure. Start your own charity, what type, what would be the theme behind your cause? KUDOS for your dad being a PASTOR as well!
1 person likes this
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
9 Feb 09
That is very honorable of you.
1 person likes this
@Ithink (9980)
• United States
8 Feb 09
I think everyone dreams of hitting it rich, especially ones that don't have much money. In my case I would rather just have at least enough to pay bills and take the family places once in awhile. HOWEVER... If I hit it big, I would pay off all the bills and then fix up our house. We would help our kids out with a few things and pay off my parents bills so that they wouldn't have to be so stressed. I would love to open a program here in our town to help out families! I would donate some to Horizon House as I just think for the most part they do terrific work. I would also help out the Woman's care center (actually helps men too, so I don't know why they call it that). Id also try to help the homeless and want a program for teens. I know a lot of money involved there but if money was no limit that is what I would like to do! I know hubby would keep working as he really does like his job and isn't one to sit around all the time. For him I would get him his truck that he wants and send him on a hunting trip where ever he wants to go. Also his trip to Alaska that he has always wanted to take. For me I'm not even sure other then a vehicle that is newer and would run without breaking down all the time! Ohh and one more thing for me, a trip to Ireland taking my hubby of course and our best friends! I know that hubby would buy property fix it up and then rent it out too. Okay that is all I can think of .. LOL!
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
9 Feb 09
Nice dreams you have.
@CRSunrise (2981)
• United States
27 Feb 09
I think I would still work, just so I would have something to do during the day. I wouldn't want to stay home with the kids, and gain weight, etc. There would be people I'd want to help out, especially those that helped us in our hard times. It's only fair to help out when you can.
1 person likes this
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
2 Mar 09
Great plan of action. I like it!
@sweetyethot (1737)
• China
8 Feb 09
“Prosperity ruineth the fool" that makes sense.Money can only be meaningful when used wisely.Your post makes me rethink.Too much money is not a good thing.Many people may lose the motivation to work if they have enough money.And they tend to waste money. If money was a thing of past,I will give some to charity and help anyone that needs money.Only this way money can be fully used.
1 person likes this
@Kenzierou (108)
• Indonesia
8 Feb 09
I read somewhere about 10% people possessed 90% money in the world, the sad thing is if those money to be given to them (the 90% people), they'll just lose it and those money will come back to those 10%. Doing charity by giving them money is not much help, it's better to teach them how to fish. There's lot of people got fired nowaday, so if I got money, I'll give them a job to do. I make money, they make money, it's a win-win solution.
1 person likes this
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
8 Feb 09
Good point and way to spend your money. Thanks for sharing.
@Pistas (95)
• Portugal
8 Feb 09
i would help family that's for sure!I would also keep some in the bank , i really can't imagine that situation...i think will always have somewhere to spend the money and if you don't spend it...what's the point of having lots if you don't have nowhere to spend,then money wouldn't be valuable.I don't know...that's a thought question...just wonder this..you wouldn't need money to get things...what would you do with your life...if there was no currency...that would be a weird but good world right??can't imagine it though...i wish i could!
1 person likes this
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
9 Feb 09
Actually, I doubt there will be currency when we get to heaven, so that part of it is very imaginable to me. Welcome to mylot and thanks for the participation.
@Pistas (95)
• Portugal
9 Feb 09
lolz...yeah...never actually thought of it that way...you're right!now i can imagine it too!thanks!keep posting
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
8 Feb 09
I have no right to comment at the moment. What I think I may do will definitely differ from how I actually act in the future. There's a long list of things I say I will do, but never did. So I guess I better reserve the right to comment.
1 person likes this
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
9 Feb 09
That's is of course your decision. Thanks for stopping by and welcome to mylot.
@GardenGerty (158131)
• United States
8 Feb 09
I would love to be able to give money away. I learned early on that that is the truest wealth. It is not how much you have, but being able to share what you have that is a blessing. I would also like to be debt free, of course. I think God puts that giving spirit inside of us and then encourages us to let it out.
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
8 Feb 09
I agree with everything you said, thanks for responding.