Do you ever feel like you are wasting your time? That you’re spending most of your waking hours working, but when you stop and look at what that’s gotten you, it’s not quite satisfying?

That’s how I feel. I’m a web developer with a kajillion great money-making ideas, but most of the time, I start a project just to lose motivation… until the next great idea comes along. Even the projects that are successful are not as fulfilling as I envision them when I start.

It’s not just an issue of productivity. It’s an issue of priorities. I tend to ask, “Can I do it?” rather than “Should I do it?” The result is scattered fits of effort without a unifying theme. I get caught up in the money-making game, which turns income into an end rather than a means.

We have enough stuff

Everyone likes to have nice things, and they like to show them off, too. Internet marketers are particularly inclined in this direction—I can’t remember how many “look at my fancy car!” sales letters I’ve seen.

But here’s the thing: most of us don’t need any more stuff.

Sure, there are exceptions. Some people are in really desperate situations (more on that in a bit). But chances are, if you’re reading this page, you’re reasonably well off. The fact that you have Internet access is a pretty good clue (yes, even if it’s at the library).

Most of us have a warm place to sleep, clothes to wear, and food to eat. Yet instead of realizing how exceptionally wealthy that makes us from a global perspective, we kill ourselves (sometimes literally) trying to earn more to get more stuff.

How much stuff do you need? (How much stuff do I need?)

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not judging you for wanting things (as long as you don’t judge me for thinking longingly of a certain tandem mountain bike). I’m not asking for a vow of poverty or anything. I’m just asking us all to hit “pause” on the rampant consumerism every once in a while, and ask if it’s worth it.

For me, it’s not. Stuff in and of itself is not enough to motivate me to do my best work, nor is it what I hope to show for my life. It’s just not good enough.

We’re designed to work

I am also not advocating that we make “no more work” our goal. It’s possible that by breaking free of the gimme mindset, you could cut your expenses enough that work might become optional. That sounds nice, but most people don’t find endless leisure time especially fulfilling either.

I’m a Christian who believes that we are created in the image of our Creator, which makes us inherently creative. (If you don’t think you’re creative, I respond that you might not be artistic, but that’s not the same thing. I also tend to go on and on about it, so don’t bring it up if that will make you roll your eyes. )

In addition to being creative, we are designed to work. From the beginning, people have had work to do, and found satisfaction when the work they had was a good fit. And that’s an interesting point: the purpose of work is not simply to get an income.

John Piper, in his excellent book Don’t Waste Your Life, explains the original arrangement this way:

Man was free, not from work, but in work, to be creative without the anxiety of providing food and clothing.

Does that resonate with you? It sure does with me.

So if we’re designed to work, but focusing on making money isn’t satisfying, how does that work?

It’s time to use our resources to help others

This site is an experiment, to see how far it’s possible to help others through our work. I believe that’s the key to finding meaning in money and work.

This will look different for different people. Some people will carry on doing the exact same work they’ve been doing, but use some of the money they make to support charities that help people.

Some people will volunteer their knowledge and time to help others, either directly or by helping the organizations who help people.

Some people will even quit what they’ve been doing and find themselves moving in a completely different direction.

What you do is up to you. But I challenge you to think about it, come to some conclusions, and make a public commitment.

It’s time to think big and make your time, money, and life matter.