Since my last post, I have endured the HSC and enjoyed almost a month of bliss...
I also was offered a Finance co-op interview, praise God ^_^ (very exciting seeing as it is very competitive)
Anyhow, today I went to the interview briefing day where all the co-op interviewees were present. I noticed something particularly interesting about both the co-op scholars and the potential scholars.
There was an atmosphere that suggested that they were all searching for fulfilment in their career in finance. Quite heartbreaking actually.
If you don't know, investment banking is a VERY high paying career (6 figure salary first year out) and the desire for this really showed today.
One of the fourth years actually said: "The comfort and security that the money brings is unparalleled." As a Christian, this made me feel...uncomfortable...and also kind of sad because I know that no matter how much money one has - they will not be satisfied and the security and comfort will never be enough. These things come only from the love of Christ.
A potential scholar said he chose finance because he felt it "fulfilled ambition" which suggested a search for fulfilment in career. Also quite sad :(
This was also interesting because it challenged me to think about why I was there. Outwardly, I would never say that I was there to find fulfilment. But if I dig deeper, I really needed to question why I was there.
Along with this topic, I met with an (Christian) investment banker while I was in New York and had a very thought-provoking conversation. Key points were:
- Investment banking is a very greedy place.
- It is not socially responsible
- It often involves gaining money in not very nice ways - how do you come to terms with this as a Christian?
- It is very easy to get pulled into the banking culture and very hard to get out (impossible almost)
These were points to think about and when I discussed this with a friend, he referred me to the parable of the shrewd manager found in Luke 16:1-14
Key points I took from this:
- What one does with little things is indicative of what they do with big things.
- We must be good steward of our worldly wealth if we expect to be trusted with true riches
- An article he also linked defined true riches as: stewardship and responsibility in God's kingdom and heavenly rewards.
- I understand true riches to be the reward we receive in heaven when God acknowledges us.
- We cannot have two masters: God or money
- In v8, Jesus says that unbelievers know more about the world than believers now about the world to come - I definitely agree with this
- In v9 Jesus essentially tells us to use worldly wealth with love to evangelise.
- The article discusses three situations where wealth can be unrighteous
- Using unrighteous means to gain wealth
- Unrighteous ways one desires to use wealth
- Corrupting influence of wealth that may lead to unrighteous acts
Good things to think about if I am to be wealthy in the future.
Also, today a first year was telling us about the ridiculous hard work and hours of an investment banker and how it is likely that personal relationships will have to be sacrificed. This made me consider very seriously the consequences that pursuing this career will have on my ability to please God. How can someone love others deeply as Christ loved us when they are working 9am-midnight days six days a week? Good question ehh....
Well, interview is tomorrow - prayers would be greatly appreciated ^^
