What They Never Taught Me About Money
Take the bee.
Early scientists once claimed its body was too heavy for its wings. In theory, it shouldn’t fly.
We now understand the science, but at the time theory didn’t match reality.
And yet, bees kept flying.
Sometimes there’s a gap between textbook theory and real-world application.
And that’s exactly what I discovered with money.
At university, I studied Economics. I even got a First.
I learned the classic theories, the textbook rules about how money works.
But the truth is: the world of business taught me more than my degree ever could.
📚 The Textbook View
I was taught that money has three classic functions:
Medium of Exchange → you can use it to buy and sell goods and services.
Store of Value → you can save it and use it later without it losing all its value.
Unit of Account → it measures and compares value (e.g. “this costs £5, that costs £10”).
That is logical, but it doesn’t explain how money really works in life.
🌱 Beyond Theory
In the real world, I learned something deeper.
Money is:
A Reward for Creating Value → it flows when you solve problems and serve others.
A Certificate of Performance → it is proof that you delivered something of worth.
Every pound you earn is like a thank you note from the world for value created.
The world of business showed me this truth:
💡 Money rewards usefulness, not just effort.
💡 It grows through service, trust, and the impact you deliver.
💡 Money has a spiritual element, it can multiply as value is created, just like one candle lighting another without losing its own flame.
And here’s the thing: money itself is not the goal.
It is the outcome.
When the foundations are strong, money is produced automatically, like fruit in season.
As Psalm 1:3 says:
“They are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever they do prospers.”
The point is simple: when the roots are planted well, the fruit will come.
That’s why I say, be the tree, not the fruit.
🌳 Be the Tree, Not the Fruit
Money is the fruit.
You don’t chase fruit. You grow into the kind of tree that produces it.
That takes:
Deep roots of character
Solid foundations of wisdom and discipline
Being planted in the right environment
When your life is grounded in serving others, the fruit takes care of itself.
💡 The Better Question
We often ask:
“How can I get more money?”
But the better question is:
“How can I become more valuable to the people I am called to serve?”
Because money is a mirror.
It reflects the problems you solve and the people you serve.
🚀 Your Next Step
Growth doesn’t come from chasing fruit but from strengthening the roots.
This week, choose one way to deepen your foundation in a way that helps you serve others better:
Sharpen a skill so you can add more value
Keep a promise you made, building trust with those around you
Manage what is already in your hands with care, so you can handle more responsibility
Go the extra mile in serving someone
Habits of service and discipline create the kind of roots money grows from. Build those, and the fruit will come.
🤝 Let’s Work Together
I work with people and organisations to build strong, practical financial foundations that last.
Whether it’s:
Guiding students, professionals, and creatives on their investing journey
Helping them grow their careers and income
Creating the structure to support families as they manage their resources
I offer:
1:1 coaching
Group sessions
Financial education workshops and talks
📩 Reach out at info@toyosisho.com
Let’s build the roots so your financial fruit lasts.
Toyosi
