Written by Larry Lundstrom
Life isn’t about the stuff we accumulate or the titles we earn. It’s about the people we impact, the legacy we leave, and the faith we carry. Yet, so many of us get caught in traps: chasing financial gain, striving for power, or running in the wrong direction just to keep up with others.
Here’s the truth: the most important things in life aren’t things—they’re people.
Jesus modeled this perfectly. He traveled light, focusing on relationships and purpose rather than possessions or shortcuts to power. As Matthew 6:33 reminds us, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” But the world tempts us to flip this upside down, prioritizing “things” over the Kingdom.
The Two-Income Trap
Liz Wiseman’s Multipliers reminds us that the best leaders aren’t those who simply succeed on their own—they are those who lift others up and help them reach their full potential. But here’s the thing: sometimes the most important people we need to build up are the ones right in front of us—our children.
When we prioritize a two-income lifestyle or chase after a bigger house, we may gain financial advantages, but at what cost? The cost of missed moments, fractured relationships, and a generation raised by busyness instead of intentionality. What if, instead, we chose to value the work of investing in the next generation over chasing short-term wins?
Mothers—and fathers—who pour into their children are raising the next wave of leaders, innovators, and changemakers. Their efforts may not show up on a paycheck, but their impact is immeasurable. The long game matters more than the temporary gain.
Debt is another trap we fall into while chasing an ideal that isn’t rooted in what matters most. Proverbs 22:7 warns us, “The borrower is slave to the lender.” But financial freedom isn’t just about avoiding debt—it’s about creating space in your life for the people you love.
The truth is, choosing family over income doesn’t mean a lack of ambition—it means focusing your ambition on what has eternal value. Investing in your family is one of the most profound ways to multiply talent, energy, and legacy. It’s a choice to prioritize the long-term over the short-term, to build something that lasts.
If we shifted our perspective, we’d see that the work of parents who intentionally invest in their children isn’t secondary to income—it’s a vital form of leadership, one that shapes the future in ways no job title or bank balance ever could.
Reflection: What would change in your life if you prioritized the long game over the short-term wins? How could you build others up by focusing more on your family and less on financial goals?
The Illusion of Success
It’s easy to buy into the lie that climbing the corporate ladder equals success. But at what cost? If you’re stepping on others to get ahead or slandering your colleagues, you’re climbing the wrong ladder.
James 3:16 puts it plainly: “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” Success built on selfish ambition won’t last. True success is about lifting others up, multiplying their potential, and leading with integrity.
Hard Work with the Right Heart
Hard work is necessary. Excellence in your craft honors God and blesses others. But the world teaches us to hustle at any cost, even at the expense of our values.
Philippians 4:8 reminds us: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” When you align your work with God’s principles, your efforts become meaningful and impactful.
Trust God’s Plan
The hardest part of all this? Trusting God’s plan when it doesn’t make sense. The world screams, “Go faster! Do more! Take control!” But Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Success by the world’s standards is fleeting. Trusting God leads to lasting impact and eternal rewards.
What Matters Most
At the end of the day, life isn’t about climbing the highest ladder or amassing the most stuff. It’s about the relationships we build, the people we pour into, and the faith we live out.
Be the leader who multiplies goodness, truth, and love. Surround yourself with others who reflect those values. And remember, the most important things in life aren’t things—they’re people.
The Collective Agency : : Marketing, Creative & Innovation for Faith-Based Impact 
Such an honest and enlightening piece of writing. Indeed, I treasure my time with my family. They make my life so meaningful. Thank you for this reminder, Larry. Stay authentic.