As the CEO of BentOak Capital, I’ve had the privilege of working with exceptional individuals and families as they navigate the complexities of wealth. Over the years, one enduring truth has stood out: money doesn’t create happiness, but wealth does have a way of amplifying what’s already there.
The Mirror of Wealth
The idea that “money can’t buy happiness” is one we hear often – and it’s true, in part. Money alone cannot fill the void of purpose or mend a broken relationship. But money does magnify the state of our lives. A family grounded in faith and strong values might find that financial success opens doors to purposeful generosity, deeper relationships, and meaningful opportunities. On the flip side, for those grappling with unresolved challenges or broken family dynamics, wealth can magnify those struggles – whether through strained relationships, a lack of direction, or unhealthy patterns like addiction.
At BentOak Capital, we often meet families at pivotal moments – crossroads where wealth has exposed these deeper truths. It’s why we encourage examining not just financial goals but the motivations behind them. Scripture reminds us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). When we align our priorities with what truly matters most, wealth transforms from something that can feel overwhelming or burdensome into a powerful testament to a life of purpose, impact, and intentionality.
Building a Legacy That Lasts
Here’s the reality: you can’t take it with you. No matter how much we accumulate, it stays behind when we’re gone. But what we leave – the relationships we’ve developed, the values we’ve passed on, and the lives we’ve impacted – can echo far beyond our lifetime.
At BentOak Capital, we believe you should pass down your values alongside your valuables. Families who use their assets to grow closer, serve others, and live out their values create legacies that transcend material wealth. Whether it’s creating harmony in generational transitions, preparing children to steward resources wisely, or crafting philanthropic strategies that reflect eternal priorities, we guide families to focus on legacies with a lasting impact.
Purpose in Action
When wealth is aligned with a clear sense of purpose, it can transform lives. We’ve seen families support causes they believe in, fund initiatives that create opportunities for others, and make a lasting difference in their communities. In these moments, wealth becomes more than an asset – it becomes a story, a legacy, a testament to what mattered most.
But this doesn’t happen by accident. It requires clarity, alignment, and action. At BentOak Capital, we’re here to guide families through that process – ensuring that their resources are used intentionally and reflect the very best of who they are. It’s about turning success into significance.
Final Thoughts
At BentOak Capital, we understand that money doesn’t buy happiness, but it will magnify what already exists. If your life reflects faith, commitment, purpose, and connection, it can amplify those blessings in extraordinary ways. If it reflects tension or a lack of direction, it often exposes those realities as well.
So, ask yourself: What is your wealth magnifying? Are there areas that need realignment? Our hope is that by reflecting on this, we can approach wealth with clarity and intention, using it as a means to deepen relationships, serve others, and leave a legacy that truly matters.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much…” (Luke 16:10).
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION: Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended and/or undertaken by BentOak Capital [“BentOak”]), or any non-investment related services, will be profitable, equal any historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. BentOak is neither a law firm, nor a certified public accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this document serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for personalized investment advice from BentOak. Please remember that it remains your responsibility to advise BentOak, in writing, if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous recommendations and/or services, or if you would like to impose, add, or to modify any reasonable restrictions to our investment advisory services. A copy of our current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request at www.bentoakcapital.com/disclosure. The scope of the services to be provided depends upon the needs of the client and the terms of the engagement. Historical performance results for investment indices, benchmarks, and/or categories have been provided for general informational/comparison purposes only, and generally do not reflect the deduction of transaction and/or custodial charges, the deduction of an investment management fee, nor the impact of taxes, the incurrence of which would have the effect of decreasing historical performance results. It should not be assumed that your account holdings correspond directly to any comparative indices or categories. Please Also Note: (1) performance results do not reflect the impact of taxes; (2) comparative benchmarks/indices may be more or less volatile than your accounts; and, (3) a description of each comparative benchmark/index is available upon request. Please Note: Limitations: Neither rankings and/or recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, publications, media, or other organizations, nor the achievement of any designation, certification, or license should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if BentOak is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. Rankings published by magazines, and others, generally base their selections exclusively on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized adviser. Rankings are generally limited to participating advisers (see link as to participation criteria/methodology, to the extent applicable). Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, BentOak did not pay a fee to be included on any such ranking. No ranking or recognition should be construed as a current or past endorsement of BentOak by any of its clients. ANY QUESTIONS: BentOak’s Chief Compliance Officer remains available to address any questions regarding rankings and/or recognitions, including the criteria used for any reflected ranking.