Paul reads fiat and Bitcoin through Marcus Aurelius and Thomas Aquinas. The Stoic would warn against being ruled by anything that can be lost, while Aquinas would ask which money better serves justice and the common good. Drawing on Robert Breedlove, he grants that debasement is a moral issue, then warns that either money can become a misplaced object of trust.
He closes with Job's words about the Lord giving and taking away, framing trust in God as deeper than detachment. In his framework, Stoic discipline shapes the person, Bitcoin changes the monetary rules, and Christian faith sets the goal that both should serve.
Paul Weaver published this essay on his Substack on April 13, 2026. He is part of the Brilliance Labs network and has given us permission to share his work. This summary is ours; the essay is his.