The Garden of Wealth

The term "wealth" means strength, and although it is often associated with financial prosperity, its scope extends beyond that to encompass strength and power in various facets of our lives, including family, health, occupation, emotions, and spirituality. 

Humility, like fertile soil, is the foundation for growth. Just as an acorn holds the potential for a mighty oak tree, our financial journey begins with humility. This seed of financial growth represents the initial spark of financial aspiration, planting the seed of stewardship within us. We must ground ourselves in humility and plant the seeds of prosperity.

Oak trees grow slowly, taking years to become self-sustaining. However, they can reach heights of 100 feet with root systems spanning hundreds of feet, enduring the test of time. Oak trees symbolize integrity and vitality, acting as pillars of strength. To achieve financial strength and resilience, we need to become financial oaks, capable of weathering any financial storm.     

Just as an oak tree's growth takes time, so does financial growth, and no one wants to get rich slowly. Financial growth is not attained instantly; it involves a gradual process and a degree of progression, just like the growth of a seed. 

1. Survival - Clearing the Ground

Imagine that you have been given a garden to tend to, with the goal of creating a thriving ecosystem that will benefit future generations. You begin by carefully choosing the location, but at first the soil is rocky, dry, and the garden plot is overgrown with weeds and brush. Your first task is to clear away the debris, break up the soil, and add nutrients to the earth before any planting can occur so that the plants will have a healthy foundation to grow upon. This is the stage of survival, where you are focused on meeting your basic needs and establishing a stable foundation to build upon. You must first clear away any "weeds" in the budget, such as unnecessary expenses or debt, and prepare the foundation for future growth.

2. Security - Planting the Seeds

Once the soil has been prepared, you begin planting seeds and nurturing their growth, carefully selecting the right ones for the environment and nourishing them with water and sunlight. You monitor their growth closely, pruning and weeding as needed, and investing in the right tools and resources to help them thrive. You protect the young plants from pests, weather, and diseases, much like a person in the second stage of building wealth protects their savings and investments from financial risks. This is the stage of security, where you are focused on protecting your wealth and being mindful of risks and challenges that could threaten your progress. This stage is about laying the foundation for future growth and focusing on long-term security. 

3. Growth - Nurturing the Garden

As your garden grows and flourishes, you begin to see the fruits of your labor, with an abundance of healthy plants and a diverse ecosystem thriving around you. You focus on nurturing the plants to ensure their continued growth and success. You fertilize the soil, prune the plants, and provide additional support where needed. You begin to see the potential for how you can use the resources of your garden to benefit others, sharing your bounty with your family, neighbors, and donating to those in need. This is the stage of growth, where you have established a secure financial position and focus on growing wealth through prudent investments and diligent financial planning to ensure that your wealth continues to grow over time.  

4. Prosperity - Harvesting the Fruits

Finally, the garden is in full bloom, and you can fully enjoy the fruits of your labor. Each year you harvest the produce that have grown and share your bounty with others. You begin to focus on your legacy, and how you can ensure that your garden will continue to thrive long after you are gone. You train others to tend to the garden, passing on your knowledge and wisdom. You invest in the long-term sustainability of the ecosystem, ensuring that future generations will have the knowledge and resources they need to continue to grow and prosper. 

As you look back on your journey, you reflect on the significant role you played in the growth and preservation of the garden. While there were times when you resented the hard work and time you invested in a garden that was not yours, you are grateful for the opportunity to have served as its steward. You appreciate that the garden did not grow overnight; rather, it underwent a gradual process of progression and growth. Your calling was to dress it and to keep it, and your labor was for the betterment of others. You did not just protect the garden, but what it represents - a way of life, a journey to prosperity that demands a level of separation and sacrifice that few are willing to make. You not only drove out the weeds, but you cast out the common, selfish, and destructive gardening practices prevalent in the world today. This is the stage of prosperity, where you are focused on leaving a lasting legacy, stewarding the resources that have been entrusted to you, and serving those around you so that they may gain.