The death on Tuesday of Charlie Munger, the nearly 100-year-old billionaire vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, made banner headlines across the financial world.
“No equal business partner has ever played second fiddle better than Charlie Munger,” eulogized the Wall Street Journal.
Of course, they’re referring to Munger’s enduring business partnership with Warren Buffett, the 93-year-old nicknamed the “Oracle of Omaha” for his wise and successful investments that help create an empire now worth more than $782 billion.
Throughout his long life, Charlie Munger didn’t say too much about faith, though he did once say of his fortune, “I won’t need it where I’m going.” He also once said, “There’s nothing as insignificant as an extra $2 billion to an old man.”
But as someone who has studied the life of the curmudgeon known to spend most of his time reading and thinking, it seems to me many of the principles employed and maxims uttered by Munger could easily and effectively be adapted to life, marriage, and parenting.
Keep in mind this was a guy who first studied mathematics and then meteorology for service in World War II and was accepted to Harvard Law School and graduated despite never finishing his undergraduate work. But Charlie Munger had what many people lack – common sense, patience, and confidence in his convictions. His hero was Benjamin Franklin, another go-getter who got things done despite not having the normal pedigree most successful people of that era enjoyed.
Speaking of Franklin, Munger said, “He was the best writer in his nation and also the best scientist and also the best inventor. Where has that ever happened again? Yes, yes, all these other things. Yes. And he played four different musical instruments. One of which he invented.”
Charlie Munger’s wit became legendary, so much so that he published it in a book inspired by the aforementioned Founding Father. The title: Poor Charlie’s Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger.
So what are some of the principles and observations of the investor that can be employed by people like you and me?
Stop trying to buy fair businesses at wonderful prices; instead, buy wonderful businesses at fair prices.
This Munger strategy sealed the Buffett/Munger partnership and revolutionized Berkshire’s investment approach. Until Munger arrived, Buffett made “cigar-butt” investments – subpar companies he could buy for cheap. He then started looking for only the best companies that he thought would have lasting value.
As believers, a similar philosophy will serve us well. For instance, when it comes to pursuing a partner to marry, we need not settle. Seek someone of the opposite sex who loves the Lord, is committed to pursuing Him, and who values and prioritizes the things that honor and bring glory to God.
You’ll do better if you have passion for something in which you have aptitude.
God has created, gifted, and wired each of us for a specific purpose. It sounds trite but it’s true: He doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called. What do you love? We usually do that best – or at least enjoy the pursuit.
You’re not going to get very far in life on the basis of what you already know. You’re going to advance in life by what you’re going to learn.
Yes, the Lord uniquely gifts each of us, but we are a work in progress. How are we spending our time? Are we constantly learning and discovering? If you’re not growing, you’re shrinking. A life of only leisure leads to laziness and regret.
I’m not entitled to have an opinion unless I can state the arguments against my position better than the people who are in opposition. I think that I am qualified to speak only when I’ve reached that state.
God has called each of us to be evangelists (Matthew 28:19-20), which means we should know the enemy’s arguments and tactics inside out. We’re to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
Our ideas are so simple that people keep asking us for mysteries when all we have are the most elementary ideas.
The Christian life isn’t all sunshine and roses, but our calling is simple and straight-forward. Jesus Himself said the great commandment was to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” – and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-38).
And finally:
The best armour [sic] of old age is a well spent life preceding it.
More than $34 billion is expected to be spent on anti-aging products this year in the United States. We’re desperately trying to slow down the march of time, but the reality is the most effective means by which to age well is to live a life of few or no regrets. The apostle Paul modeled faithfulness through adversity. Yet, at the end he could say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
When it came to investing and life, two of Charlie Munger’s favorite words were “assiduity” and “equanimity.” Once more, those words apply well to the Christian.
Assiduity – paying close or constant attention – should be the hallmark of all believers as we seek God’s will and ways. Equanimity – mental calmness, composure and evenness of temper – should be the fruit of a well-ordered and Holy Spirit-led life.
That’s because come what may, unlike the stock market, the very best investment we can make in life is in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Image from Getty.
The post Seven Faith and Life Lessons from the Wit and Wisdom of Charlie Munger appeared first on Daily Citizen.
Daily Citizen