Many people have misquoted a common phrase about wealth: “Money is the root of all evil.” Actually, this is not really accurate. The actual Biblical phrase is, “The love of money is the root of all evil.”
There was a time when money took many forms. Bartering and trading was popular and it still exists, but has basically been taken over by modern commercial practices.
There is an interesting attitude that becomes evident when the notion of money is addressed. It is one of the most important tools humanity possesses; it is universally desired, and even though the love of money may be the correct phrase, it is, nevertheless, one of the most viable movers and shakers that exists. Money is one of the most notorious things possessed by humanity that can help clear the path in order to satisfy material appetites.
Ironically, it has been noted by some that there are people who are desperate to acquire wealth, but once it is attained, they often do not understand how to use it.
A case in point: there are a number of celebrities who become super-wealthy and famous and who end up with a garage of 20 or 30 automobiles. Question – how many automobiles does it take to make a person happy? The answer is probably “none.”
There are automobiles that cost obscene amounts of money, but there is a challenge in using them due to the behavior wherein those with the wherewithal to possess high-end toys like personal airplanes and multiple cars can’t effectively utilize them for a number of reasons.
What can someone do with multiple automobiles? There is something impractical, or even wasteful, about owning so much of something that it can’t be effectively used. At this level, wealth becomes a burden.
There are wealthy people who own more than three private jets, or several gigantic yachts. Do these possessions make one happy? Though there is no doubt there is a certain amount of satisfaction one can experience when there is an abundance of wealth, based on the behavior exhibited by some very wealthy people, the possession of material things doesn’t automatically result in happiness. There have been, in fact, super-rich individuals who have remained very unhealthy and unhappy in spite of possessing extreme material wealth!
When considering the foregoing, it becomes evident that wealth does not provide the answer to happiness in and of itself. Spiritual prosperity has the power to defeat material prosperity.
There is another side of wealth to consider. In addition to the myriad of people who earn wealth through the use of know-how and personal talent, there are those who will do almost anything dishonest to acquire it. Money, therefore, becomes a catalyst for widespread corruption and crime. Some people believe they can mistreat people, or even murder others, and still “Go to Heaven” because they believe that the end justifies the means.
Finally, though the misuse of money plays havoc with our lives, especially in the case of criminal behavior and man’s inhumanity to man, there is another side to consider. Money CAN be put to good use. Wealthy people, through targeted philanthropy, can do a lot of good; philanthropists can help level the playing field between the haves and have-nots.
Moreover, those who are impoverished and exhibit good deeds or behavior, can actually help people rise from the jaws of poverty. In this regard, money can be a Godsend if used wisely. Money can help lift whole communities out of despair.
Let’s hope we evolve to the point where the generous members of the human family rise above selfishness in order to help others. That money would not be considered evil, and the people who are big-hearted and are in a position to not only experience material wealth, but they would place themselves in a position to acquire spiritual wealth.
That should be the real goal of wealth acquisition because we can’t take money with us at the time of our departure from this planet! A Luta Continua.
