February 18, 2013
Don’t look now, but your friends might be on the move.
They might not be as famous as Eduardo Saverin, but their plans may be shaping up to follow his lead.
Saverin made the headlines a few months ago, in the midst of the flurry of excitement surrounding the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Facebook stock. He was a co-founder with Mark Zuckerburg, and the practical effect of the IPO – for him – was a personal realization of $3.84 billion. Born in Brazil, he had become an American citizen… but the cost of continuing his affiliation with the US of A was now going to be significant when the tax responsibilities attached to his windfall were computed. Big bucks were about to be repatriated with the government that printed the bills…
So… days before the IPO, Saverin announced his plans to renounce his American citizenship and to relocate – permanently – to Singapore. “Take the Money and Run” was a hit song by the Steve Miller Band, back in the ‘70’s; who could have imagined it would become a theme song for modern-day moguls who capture the flag in the public marketplace, and then run to a tax haven hollering “Ollie Ollie Oxen Free” and keep more of the cash for themselves.
Less famous folks have bought their own copy of Keeping What You Make for Dummies, and are plotting their future based on new formulas. Bright folks who parlayed their potential for grand gains have migrated from New York and New Jersey to new environs that have higher temps and lower taxes. All stars from various professions in California are putting their trophies in trucks and heading east, and turning in their one-way rentals in Nevada, Arizona and Texas. The weather premium is no longer an up-charge they’re willing to pay. Phil Mickelson made the mistake of declaring his dissent and caught the wrath of the “you didn’t build that” mob whose Robin Hood fantasies have become public policy.
Allow me to cite the obvious: talented people are likely to make decisions based on their personal benefit. They use their time and talent to create value, and they realize that value through the financial proceeds from their efforts. Once they know the formulas and do the math, decisions for the future become obvious.
God made us with a desire to advance, and an on-board computer that can use the facts to paint a path toward best outcomes. It should be no surprise that Jesus offered great advice for motivated people who want to trade time and talent to fund their future.
“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust – or, worse! – stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being,” (Matthew 6:19-21, from The Message).
We are in the midst of a significant relocation of human potential and financial resources. Green Flight is only going to increase. For some, the safe-haven might be off-shore; for others, it’s a game of “find the best state in a challenged country.” Old paradigms are being upended by new possibilities. Are you open to some timeless wisdom?
Rick Perry – the governor of Texas – upset Jerry Brown in California recently when he bought commercial radio time in the Golden State to invite successful business owners to check out the Lone Star State, and bring their resources with them. Smart people constantly reevaluate their positions.
The Lord Jesus has upset the god of this world by extending His offer for smart Christians to transfer their winnings from here to Heaven, where they will be protected from the inevitable erosion that frustrates the fortunes of human accomplishment.
So… where’s your stash?
Bob Shank