Two close friends grew up together—inseparable boys with big dreams. But as life unfolded, they went different directions. One became a monk, embracing simplicity and spiritual practice. The other rose to power as a wealthy minister, cloaked in fine robes and royal favor.
Years later, they reunited. The minister looked at his old friend—the thin, tattered monk—and said with sincere pity, “If you could learn to cater to the king, you wouldn’t have to live on rice and beans.”
The monk smiled gently and replied, “If you could learn to live on rice and beans, you wouldn’t have to cater to the king.”
That story says everything about the world we live in today.
Unfortunately, for far too many, our king is monthly payments…
I don’t claim to be some financial expert and yet I am highly aware of the forces that disguise themselves as goods to control my time. A lot of the products that are marketed to us are actually vehicles to sell us debt. The big three are cars, college, and credit cards. It’s a never-ending list of monthly payments that some financial institution will happily pile on top of you. A lot of dreams get suffocated by debt because it controls your most important possession: your time.
“One of history’s few iron laws is that luxuries tend to become necessities and then spawn into new obligations” – Yuval Noah Harari
That’s the trap. Just like the minister served the king, many of us end up serving our payments—working harder than necessary to afford things we don’t need. The story reminds us we always have a choice: live to consume, or live free. Instant gratification might feel good, but it costs you your peace, your purpose, and/or your power. Monthly payments are just another king demanding your loyalty.
live freed,
Jordan
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