day no. 16,237: the glory of sacrifice outlives the gain of self interest

“There does not appear to be any doubt that money is the agent which causes the decline of this strong, brave, and self-confident people. The decline in courage, enterprise, and a sense of duty is, however, gradual. The first direction in which wealth injures the nation is a moral one. Money replaces honour and adventure as the objective of the best young men. Moreover, men do not normally seek to make money for their country or their community, but for themselves. Gradually, and almost imperceptibly the Age of Affluence silences the voice of duty. The object of the young and the ambitious is no longer fame, honour or service, but cash." -- Sir John Glubb, The Fates of Empires

Men seek honor and glory for their God, for their nation, for their people, or for their family; but men, more often than not, seek money only or themselves. Men seek security for their community through sacrifice, duty, and obligation. Men seek security for themselves through their indulgence, self-interest, or fear.

The glory of sacrifice outlives the gain of self interest.

A man working for the glory and honor of another works harder than if he were only working for his own while the man working for the financial stability of another works less enthusiastically. If his labors are to be used to fill someone else's pockets, his esprit de corps diminishes. So, a man will work hard for money for himself, but will struggle to work as hard to make money for someone else. But a man attempting to gain honor and glory for his people, his flag, his family, his coat of arms, etc... will go as hard, if not harder, than if he were only attempting to gain personal glory. 

Glory presupposes sacrifice. It counts it as part of the pursuit. Financial gain and accrual does not factor sacrifice into its game plan. Generosity is not inherently part of filling your own pockets. Sacrifice, however, is built into the pursuit of honor and glory.  Heroes are remembered for their courage and sacrifice in the face of adversity. You can't gain glory without a sacrificial spirit. Nobility is not in serving your self, but in giving yourself for something noble.

Isaiah 32:8

He who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands.