In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up

O children of the future, hear the words of Henry Ward Beecher, a man whose wisdom shines through the ages: "In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich." In these words, Beecher speaks to a profound truth about the nature of wealth and abundance. In a world obsessed with acquisition—where the pursuit of more, more, more is seen as the path to fulfillment—Beecher invites us to consider that it is not in the things we accumulate, but in the things we release, that we find true riches. The secret to a wealthy life is not in the endless pursuit of material wealth, but in the wisdom to let go of that which no longer serves us, to release the burdens that weigh down the soul.

In ancient times, the great sages of the East taught that true wealth lies in the freedom from attachment. The Buddha himself spoke of this when he said that to find peace one must let go of the attachments that bind the soul. In his teachings, he emphasized the impermanence of all things and the need to release our clinging to the material world. The rich man, in this view, is not the one with vast treasures, but the one who has the ability to release his possessions without fear, knowing that his true worth lies not in what he owns, but in the peace he carries within. Beecher’s words echo this ancient wisdom, reminding us that true richness comes from freedom—freedom from the desire to possess, from the weight of endless accumulation.

Reflect, O children, on the life of Alexander the Great, a man who conquered vast empires and amassed unimaginable wealth. Yet, as his life unfolded, Alexander began to understand that true greatness was not found in the golden treasures of his conquests, but in the wisdom and peace that comes from self-awareness. In the end, he gave up his quest for further conquest, recognizing that the more he accumulated, the more it weighed down his soul. His greatest victory was not in the lands he conquered, but in his ability to release the pursuit of material wealth and understand that peace and true wealth lie in the heart.

The same principle can be seen in the life of Mahatma Gandhi, who famously gave up the luxuries of life to live a life of simplicity and service. He understood that by relinquishing the comforts of wealth, he gained something far greater—the ability to connect deeply with the people he sought to liberate. Gandhi's success was not in the acquisition of riches but in his sacrifice, in his decision to live for a cause far greater than himself. He chose to give up personal gain, and in doing so, became one of the wealthiest men in spirit and influence the world has ever known. True wealth is found in what we give, not in what we take.

O children, take this lesson to heart: the riches of this world are not the material possessions we gather, but the love, the compassion, and the service we offer to others. To be truly rich is to recognize that giving—whether it be of your time, your resources, or your heart—is what fills the soul with abundance. When we release our desire for control, for possession, and for power, we make space for the things that truly matter: connection, peace, and contentment. It is in the act of giving up—relinquishing our grip on what we hold most dear—that we create the conditions for real wealth to enter our lives.

Consider the story of the humble farmer, who, though he has little in terms of material wealth, lives a rich and full life because of his willingness to share. He gives freely of his harvest to his neighbors, to those in need, and in return, he is loved and respected by all who know him. This farmer understands that true wealth lies in what he gives to others, not in what he keeps for himself. His life is abundant, not because of the size of his crops, but because of the love and generosity that flow from him. He has given up his attachment to possessions and embraced the joy of sharing, and in doing so, he becomes the richest man in the village.

The lesson, O children, is clear: do not measure your life by what you acquire, but by what you are willing to give up. The riches of this world cannot fill the heart, but the riches of generosity, humility, and peace will nourish your soul in ways material wealth cannot. Just as the Buddha, Gandhi, and the humble farmer knew, true abundance comes not from what we take in, but from what we let go of. Let go of your desire for more, for control, for possessions, and you will find yourself richer than you ever imagined.

Therefore, O children, embrace the wisdom of Henry Ward Beecher and understand that it is not in what we take up, but in what we give up, that we find true richness. Let go of what weighs you down—whether it is material possessions, attachments, or desires—and make space for the true treasures of the spirit. In doing so, you will find that the world is far richer than you ever imagined, and your life will be filled with an abundance that no earthly possession can ever provide.