What is the Point of Money?

Money touches nearly every part of our lives, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood tools we have ever created. Somewhere along the way, its true purpose often gets buried beneath ambition, pressure and expectations. But when we take a step back and really understand what money represents, it can change the way we approach life, work and relationships. Let’s take a closer look at the real essence of money and how it can serve what matters most.

During the holidays last year, I took my five-year-old daughter, Ella, to the store to buy a gift for her mom. She proudly carried $10 with her, mostly coins she had collected from her piggy bank and a recent visit from the tooth fairy. After visiting a few stores, Ella found the perfect gift! Neon retro sunglasses.

After telling her, “no, honey, you don’t want that,” I realized something important. What was the point of encouraging her to save money if she couldn’t enjoy it and buy what she wanted? Many of us are caught in the same cycle with our finances, saving diligently, yet uncertain about how or when to enjoy the fruits of our labor. What, truly, is the point of money?

Money as a Store of Value

At its core, money is simply a way to hold the value of your time, energy and talents. Every time you work, you’re offering something valuable to the world, and money is how that contribution is captured and shared. It’s easy to forget, though, that money isn’t the value itself, it’s just a symbol of the trust and appreciation others place in what you’ve given. Mistaking money for the goal is like mistaking a map for the journey. It can guide you, but it’s not the destination.

Money as Freedom

The real power of money isn’t in what it can buy, it’s in the freedom it gives you. It provides the peace of mind that your basic needs, like a home, food, healthcare and education are covered, even when life feels uncertain. But beyond security, money offers choice – how you spend your time, where you live and who you surround yourself with. It gives you the ability to walk away from what doesn’t align with your values and toward what does. That’s why true financial independence matters. It’s not about having more for the sake of it, it’s about living with purpose, clarity and ease. With thoughtful planning, money becomes less of a burden and more of a bridge to the life you want to live.

Once you have that freedom, the next question becomes how do you use it wisely to create even more opportunities, not just for yourself, but for others too?

Money as Leverage

When used wisely, money has the power to be so much more than a safety net. It becomes a force that can open new doors, spark new opportunities and make a lasting impact beyond your own life. But when used carelessly, it can just as quickly magnify risks and create bigger problems. That’s why understanding how to use money well, and how to leverage it, is so important. Financial success isn’t just about how much you earn, it’s about how thoughtfully you put what you have to work. The real question to ask yourself is simple, yet powerful. Am I using my money to create more freedom, more opportunity and more joy, not just for myself, but for the people and causes I care about too?

Money and Happiness

One of the biggest myths about money is that having more of it will automatically make you happier. While money can certainly ease hardships and bring comfort when life feels uncertain, its power to add real happiness fades after a certain point. Just like our bodies need the right balance of nutrients to stay healthy, our financial lives need the right balance of saving and spending to truly thrive. Planning for tomorrow and enjoying today are both important, but they need to work hand-in-hand, guided by a clear sense of purpose. Once your basic needs and a modest sense of security are met, piling on more wealth rarely brings deeper joy. What truly fills a life are the things money can only support, not buy, meaningful work, strong relationships and a sense of peace within yourself. Money can open doors to those things, but it can never be a substitute for them. And if we chase wealth at the cost of what really matters, we often find ourselves feeling empty instead of fulfilled. The future isn’t promised to any of us, and when all is said and done, we don’t get to take our wealth with us. What we leave behind is the life we lived, not the money we saved.

Money as a Reflection of You

How you earn, spend and view money quietly reveals what you value most. Constantly chasing more may point to hidden fears, hoarding money can signal a scarcity mindset, and spending recklessly might reflect a search for something deeper. Even good instincts, when stretched too far, can lose their balance. Mastering money isn’t about perfection, it’s about making choices that reflect who you truly are. When you align your spending and investing with what matters most, money becomes a way to live with greater purpose and impact. It’s not just about building wealth, it’s about building a life you’re proud of.

The Final Truth about Money

At the end of the day, money is just a tool, nothing more, nothing less. Studies show that most people will spend about 80% of their lifetime earnings over the course of their lives, reminding us that money is meant to move, not to be clutched tightly. It’s neutral by nature, not good, not bad. Its role is to serve you, not to define you. The moment money starts shaping your identity or sense of self-worth, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. The real purpose of money is freedom – the freedom to live by your values, to chase your passions and to make choices without fear holding you back. When you see money for what it really is, you realize the goal isn’t just to have more, it’s to allow you to focus on the people, experiences and dreams that matter most.

At Greenleaf Trust, we sit alongside our clients to help bring clarity, confidence and purpose to their financial lives. Together, we craft thoughtful plans that reflect what truly matters, plans grounded in numbers, but guided by values. Financial stewardship isn’t about chasing more or holding back out of fear. It’s about aligning your resources with your values, so your money supports the life you actually want to live. And if enjoying what you’ve built feels hard, having a trusted partner can offer the perspective you may need. At the end of the day, money isn’t the destination, it’s the vehicle. What matters most is making sure it takes you exactly where you want to go.