Psalm 37:1 “Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither.” A few weeks back I joined a Clubhouse room about investing at the intersection of purpose and profit. The general consensus was that it is indeed possible to make financial returns while having a positive impact on the world. But one friend conveyed that we must be aware that there is often a cost associated with doing the right thing. There will be times where helping the world comes at the expense of helping ourselves. I replied “well I think that is true in the short term, but it depends on what you believe about the world in the long term. In my faith we’re taught to have an eternal view, so I believe that doing the right thing will benefit others AND myself over time. My experience has very much supported this perspective.”
As they say, "what goes around, comes around." In Psalm 37, King David reminds listeners that the wicked may prosper in the short term, but “like spring flowers, they soon wither.” Since starting Amasia I have seen other VC firms sprout and get more traction than us in a shorter period of time. To be completely honest, at times that has brought out feelings of envy in me. But each time, I took it back to God and He reminded me that I just need to focus on doing the right thing, on helping others and putting Him first. If I get that right, then He always provides. It feels like we’re hitting an inflection point at Amasia, and some of those firms have experienced catastrophic and very visible downfalls. While their founders didn’t seem the most Christ-like at times, I wouldn’t say they are evil people. I also need to check my heart because schadenfreude doesn’t come from a Christ-like place either. So I’ve prayed for restoration for these folks, and I will do what I can to help them return to the industry. But all this to say, by this point I’ve learned that I just need to trust in God and have an eternal perspective. Doing the right thing benefits God, others and in the long term… myself as well.
Lord, I just want to see things as you see them. Yes we are to count the cost in following you. But over the long term, the benefits far outweigh the costs. There is no comparison. Thank you for building a solid foundation in my company, in my family, and in my ministry. I’m so excited to be a part of the work you are already doing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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