How Much Are You Willing to Pay for Money? 591.3
Disdain for money is a common theme among moralists and philosophers. But money’s not the problem. It’s what people do to get it and what they do with it when they get it.
In Fiddler on the Roof, a poor man sings of his daydreams of the wonderful life he’d have if he were a rich man. And surely it would be better. As someone once said, “I’ve been poor and I’ve been rich. Rich is better.” *
Yet the Biblical warning that “love of money is the root of all evil” reminds us to be aware of the difference between need and greed.
It’s one thing to make money a central goal to escape poverty and provide for basic necessities. It’s quite another when it becomes our primary motivation and measure of success or when we equate happiness or worthiness with wealth.
The love of money can have a powerful narcotic effect on our values. It can push us toward or keep us in unhealthy relationships and unsatisfying careers. It can lead us to undervalue the importance of relationships and work. It can make us into workaholics who neglect family and friends. And it can spawn dishonorable conduct that pollutes our souls and makes us unworthy despite our net worth.
According to an old Hasidic saying, “One who thinks money can do everything is likely to do anything to get it.”
Perhaps Swiss philosopher Rousseau said it best: “The money you have can give you freedom, but the money you pursue enslaves you.”
The challenge is to put the value of money in perspective. In the end, the question is: How much are we willing to pay to have money?
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
* This famous quote has been attributed to various people including Mae West, Sophie Tucker, and Gertrude Stein.
Comments
I listen to your commentaries on KNX 1070am radio. If I heard you correctly, you misquoted and therefore misapplied Scripture -- 1 Timothy 6:10 to be specific. You are not alone as many people misquote this passage. You said the Bible states "money is the root of all evil." In fact, the Bible says "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evils."
Therefore, according to Scripture, there is nothing inherently evil with money. If there was, why would God bless Solomon and David with such great fortunes? Further, according to Scripture, money is not the root or source of all evil; there are many other sources of evil: pride, selfishness, coveting your neighbor's wife, etc.
I share this with you as I trust your desire is to be accurate with your sources when you quote them in your commentaries.
Posted by: David | November 5, 2008 9:39 AM
In response to your "How much are you willing to pay for money?" I paid everything. Over the past year, I have been driven into bankruptcy, foreclosure, and am losing everything due to a dishonest man's promises (we will call him "John") to whom I fell victim and misplaced my trust. Although I am left with NOTHING after John's dishonesty, selfishness and lies, I have not lost my character. I can STILL honestly say it is a true treasure to have your financial house in order and be generous with what you have been blessed with. Even if all you have at the moment is a big heart. For all intents and purposes, I have nothing. But I still have everything.
Keeping a financial house in order is difficult these days. We work diligently to achieve it, we take such close, careful care of it; yet it is almost unthinkable to us how it CAN all be lost in a FLASH, especially if our trust is misplaced. However, once we've lost everything, we realize that our true wealth lies in our heart, not material possessions. Although in this respect, I am truly a rich woman and always have been; it will take years to regain my former financial standing if I can at all and to put my financial house back in order. Regardless, I am still a truly rich woman. John did NOT take THAT away from me and no one ever will.
It's hard to say exactly how much I would pay for money these days. I have nothing left to spend.
Posted by: Sandi T | November 7, 2008 3:45 PM