Chapter 3 The Conceptual Framework 3.1 Introduction
3.4 The specific elements of the conceptual framework 1 Patterns of social relations relevant to sustainable development
Kids learn by example and mirror what they see and hear. Exposing your child to seeing multiple points of view—both sides of coin on a variety of thoughts—opens their mind to new ideas and new ways of thinking. Many parents encourage their child to "Go to school to find a high-paying job" in the E quadrant, rather than learn to create high-paying jobs for as many people as possible in the B quadrant. Which path will your child travel?
Many people focus on buying their dream home rather than investing to provide homes for others.
Many people invest for the long term in a pension plan for themselves rather than investing in assets for cash flow…assets that can be passed on to their children or charities for years and generations to come. Challenge yourself, and your children, to see another side of the coin on greed.
Rich Dad Lesson
Rich dad encouraged his son and me to become generous rich people by becoming "cash-flow millionaires." It was a little easier for Mike because he inherited his father’s assets. I started with nothing.
Today Kim and I provide over a 1,000 jobs, have over 4,000 rental units, as well as books, games, and oil wells…assets producing millions in cash flow. If we stop working, the money continues to come in. When we pass on, these assets will continue to provide cash flow for the charities that are the beneficiaries of our estate.
In our minds, we had to be generous if we were to produce cash flow that would be sustainable, to continue for generations to come. Yet, in the minds some people, we are greedy capitalist pigs.
In Conclusion
The real issue between the rich and the poor and the middle class is one of focus. The rich focus on acquiring assets in the asset column. The poor and middle class focus on their income, how much money they earn, in the income column. The poor and middle classes then tend to save money, even as their own government bureaucrats devalue the purchasing power of their savings. Rather than understand—and address—their financial problems, many of those in the poor and middle classes get angry with the rich, accusing them of being greedy.
The gap between capitalists and everyone else begins when a parent says to their child, "Go to school to get a job," rather than, "Go to school and learn to acquire assets."
The poor own few real assets. This is also true for the majority of the middle class. Notice that I’m referring to real assets—investments that put money in your pocket every month. Most only have jobs or professions.
Most people have only one job, their own.
Most people have only one house, their own.
Most people have one retirement plan, their own.
The true principle of capitalism is, "The more people I serve, the more effective I become." That is why those in the B and I quadrants must be generous. You must be generous if you want to serve as many people as possible.
Many of us are familiar with this Bible verse:
"Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine
the amount you get back."
–Luke 6:38 (NLT) Unfortunately, many people want to be paid more, do less, and retire early. Doesn’t this violate the principle of generosity?
So who has to be the most generous?
When offering your child another point of view, please discuss the power of generosity, the principles of being generous—regardless of the quadrant they choose—and results of being generous and sharing, rather than greedy.
Action Step for Parents
Discuss what generosity means and ways everyone can be generous.
Ask your child to think about ways in which he or she is generous. They may be surprised to see how may small but meaningful ways generosity is a part of their everyday life. Generosity is sharing their toys, being patient when Mom or Dad is busy, being kind and helpful to a younger brother or sister, volunteering at a homeless shelter, and tithing.
It is important for your child to know that greatest entrepreneurs such as Henry Ford, Walt Disney, and Thomas Edison have been very generous people, creating millions of jobs and tremendous wealth for the country and the world. This may inspire your child to learn to be more generous rather than believe capitalists, or the rich, are greedy people and that capitalism is a four-letter word.