Published at

    23 Feb, 2025

    Author

    Gripastudio

    “In the pursuit of wealth, many ask for the fastest way to get rich—but few stop to ask if their wealth is truly blessed. Can financial success and personal integrity coexist? Can money be earned, invested, and grown without compromising our values? In a world that rewards speed and shortcuts, is there still wisdom in patience and ethical investing? This is not just a financial question—it’s a question of legacy, impact, and the kind of wealth that truly lasts. Let’s explore how to build prosperity that brings not just riches, but peace.”

    As a financial advisor and a retiree who has led a team of investment professionals, I’ve spent decades immersed in the world of wealth-building. I’ve given speeches, shared best practices with fellow investors, advised regulators, and guided countless Indonesians—both seasoned professionals and first-time investors—on their financial journeys.

    And throughout these years, one question has surfaced time and time again: “What’s the formula to get rich?”

    Each time, my answer remained the same:

    “I can’t tell you how to get rich. But if you ask me how your investments can be blessed, that’s a conversation we can have.”

    At first, many were caught off guard, and somewhat disappointed, by my response. They expected strategies, market predictions, or shortcuts to high returns. But few asked the deeper question—the one that truly mattered: How do I build wealth in a way that aligns with my values? How do I succeed financially without compromising my integrity?

    This question has become even more relevant today. With rising financial literacy, more people are becoming conscious of ethical investing, sustainability, and the long-term impact of their financial choices. They’re not just asking, Where can I make money? They’re asking, Where should I put my money so it does good—not just for me, but for others?

    But ethical investing isn’t always black and white. And over the years, I’ve faced some difficult conversations that tested the boundaries of values and financial opportunity.

    ### The Illusion of “Getting Rich Fast” Many people start their financial journey looking for shortcuts. They chase high returns, follow market trends blindly, and seek ways to accelerate their wealth accumulation. But in my years of experience, I’ve seen that money gained too quickly, without thought or integrity, often slips away just as fast. I’ve been approached many times with questions like: - _“Should I invest in a mining company? The returns look great.”_ - _“This company isn’t exactly environmentally friendly, but it’s highly profitable. Is it worth the investment?”_ - _“Which is better, investing in a conventional fund or in a sharia compliant fund?”_ - _“There’s a new crowdfunding opportunity—huge potential returns—but it profits from people who can’t pay their debts. What do you think?”_ These are not simple yes-or-no questions. And they reflect a deeper issue: the constant tension between financial gain and ethical responsibility. In moments like these, I return to an old Javanese proverb: **“Golek banyu bening iku luwih becik tinimbang golek banyu banter.”** (“Seeking clear water is better than seeking fast water.”) In other words, it’s better to invest in something clean and sustainable than something that offers quick gains but comes with ethical baggage. But this isn’t always easy. Sometimes, the clear water is harder to find. And sometimes, turning down a profitable investment in the name of values feels like swimming against the current. So how do we navigate this?

    The Illusion of “Getting Rich Fast”

    Many people start their financial journey looking for shortcuts. They chase high returns, follow market trends blindly, and seek ways to accelerate their wealth accumulation. But in my years of experience, I’ve seen that money gained too quickly, without thought or integrity, often slips away just as fast.

    I’ve been approached many times with questions like:

    • “Should I invest in a mining company? The returns look great.”
    • “This company isn’t exactly environmentally friendly, but it’s highly profitable. Is it worth the investment?”
    • “Which is better, investing in a conventional fund or in a sharia compliant fund?”
    • “There’s a new crowdfunding opportunity—huge potential returns—but it profits from people who can’t pay their debts. What do you think?”

    These are not simple yes-or-no questions. And they reflect a deeper issue: the constant tension between financial gain and ethical responsibility.

    In moments like these, I return to an old Javanese proverb: “Golek banyu bening iku luwih becik tinimbang golek banyu banter.” (“Seeking clear water is better than seeking fast water.”)

    In other words, it’s better to invest in something clean and sustainable than something that offers quick gains but comes with ethical baggage.

    But this isn’t always easy. Sometimes, the clear water is harder to find. And sometimes, turning down a profitable investment in the name of values feels like swimming against the current.

    So how do we navigate this?

    Wealth Built on Integrity Lasts Longer

    I’ve seen many investors chase high returns without considering the how. And often, I’ve watched those same investors lose everything just as quickly as they gained it. Wealth built on unethical foundations—on exploitation, deception, or unsustainable practices—rarely lasts. It may look strong on the surface, but underneath, it erodes itself.

    On the other hand, wealth that is built with patience, honesty, and responsibility tends to grow. Maybe not as fast, but in a way that’s steady, sustainable, and most importantly, brings peace.

    There’s wisdom in another Javanese saying: “Alon-alon waton kelakon.” (“Slowly but surely, as long as it is achieved.”)

    Financial success doesn’t need to be rushed. The best investments aren’t always the fastest-growing ones; they’re the ones that align with both financial sense and personal integrity.

    ### Ethical Investing: More Than a Trend, a Responsibility Some people assume ethical investing is just a trend—something investors consider but don’t actually follow when the numbers don’t add up. But I believe ethical investing is a _responsibility_. Your money is a vote. Every Rupiah you invest supports a company, a system, an industry. When you choose investments that align with your values, you’re shaping the future—not just of your own wealth, but of the economy itself. Let’s ask ourselves: _"Does this investment contribute to the well-being of others, or does it take advantage of them?" "Am I funding something that harms the environment, exploits workers, or creates social inequality?" "Would I be proud to tell my children how I built my wealth?"_ This is why I’ve often advised against investing in businesses that thrive on human suffering—like for instance, companies that exploits mother nature, tobacco/cigarette companies, or predatory lending companies that profit when borrowers default on their loans. No matter how attractive the returns are, what’s the cost of that wealth? If someone else is losing _everything_ for me to gain a little more, is that a price I’m willing to pay?

    Ethical Investing: More Than a Trend, a Responsibility

    Some people assume ethical investing is just a trend—something investors consider but don’t actually follow when the numbers don’t add up. But I believe ethical investing is a responsibility.

    Your money is a vote. Every Rupiah you invest supports a company, a system, an industry. When you choose investments that align with your values, you’re shaping the future—not just of your own wealth, but of the economy itself.

    Let’s ask ourselves:

    "Does this investment contribute to the well-being of others, or does it take advantage of them?" "Am I funding something that harms the environment, exploits workers, or creates social inequality?" "Would I be proud to tell my children how I built my wealth?"

    This is why I’ve often advised against investing in businesses that thrive on human suffering—like for instance, companies that exploits mother nature, tobacco/cigarette companies, or predatory lending companies that profit when borrowers default on their loans.

    No matter how attractive the returns are, what’s the cost of that wealth? If someone else is losing everything for me to gain a little more, is that a price I’m willing to pay?

    ### A Different Perspective on Success One of the biggest lies we’ve been told is that success is just about _how much_ money we make. But real wealth isn’t measured by numbers alone—it’s measured by _how_ we make it and _what_ we do with it. I’ve known people with billions of Rupiah in the bank who still felt _empty_; and I’ve known people with modest wealth who felt _completely at peace_. The difference wasn’t the amount—it was the _meaning_ behind it. Success isn’t just about accumulation. It’s about _impact_. So instead of just asking, _“How much can I earn?”_ ask: - _“What legacy do I want my wealth to leave?”_ - _“How can my investments create value beyond just financial returns?”_ - _“Am I comfortable knowing that my money contributes to this?”_ The answers to these questions will shape how you invest—not just for your own future, but for the world you help create.

    A Different Perspective on Success

    One of the biggest lies we’ve been told is that success is just about how much money we make. But real wealth isn’t measured by numbers alone—it’s measured by how we make it and what we do with it.

    I’ve known people with billions of Rupiah in the bank who still felt empty; and I’ve known people with modest wealth who felt completely at peace. The difference wasn’t the amount—it was the meaning behind it.

    Success isn’t just about accumulation. It’s about impact.

    So instead of just asking, “How much can I earn?” ask:

    • “What legacy do I want my wealth to leave?”
    • “How can my investments create value beyond just financial returns?”
    • “Am I comfortable knowing that my money contributes to this?”

    The answers to these questions will shape how you invest—not just for your own future, but for the world you help create.

    Be Remembered for More Than Just Your Wealth

    At the end of it all, people won’t remember you just for your bank account. They’ll remember how you used your wealth.

    • Did you build something meaningful?
    • Did you help others along the way?
    • Did your success come with peace, or did it come at a cost?

    I learned that there’s a difference between being rich and being prosperous. Riches are what you keep. Prosperity is what you share.

    ### Final Thoughts: The Wealth That Stays When people asked me how to get rich, they expected formulas, strategies, market insights. But real wealth—wealth that lasts, that brings peace, that leaves a legacy—isn’t built on just financial decisions. It’s built on _values_. It’s built on knowing that your investments don’t just grow your wealth—they grow _something bigger_, something more meaningful. That your success _uplifts_ others rather than stepping on them. That your money moves in ways you can be _proud of._ And when you invest that way—when you seek _clear_ water rather than _fast_ water—wealth doesn’t just come. It _stays_. It _sustains_. It becomes a _blessing_. And isn’t that the kind of wealth we all truly want?

    Final Thoughts: The Wealth That Stays

    When people asked me how to get rich, they expected formulas, strategies, market insights.

    But real wealth—wealth that lasts, that brings peace, that leaves a legacy—isn’t built on just financial decisions. It’s built on values.

    It’s built on knowing that your investments don’t just grow your wealth—they grow something bigger, something more meaningful. That your success uplifts others rather than stepping on them. That your money moves in ways you can be proud of.

    And when you invest that way—when you seek clear water rather than fast water—wealth doesn’t just come. It stays. It sustains.

    It becomes a blessing.

    And isn’t that the kind of wealth we all truly want?

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