Root of All Evil? Here's a Different Thought!

I hear so many stories from people regarding their ideas about money. Most of what I hear is largely selfish idealism, which connotes a negative attachment to the very thing that is necessary to our existence in this society.

It is no surprise that people are distorted in their view about money and wealth. Most of the stories I hear come from those who don't have much of it. So many of these people grew up surrounded by an abundant lack of resources. That lack leads an unfortunate few to do things they might not do in an environment of plenty. Violent crime, drug abuse, and crimes against property are symptoms of an environment where scarcity is prevalent and social disenfranchisement is a way of life.

There are people we've all seen who have made money, yet squandered it all and have little to show for it. These are people with underdeveloped humanity, but overdeveloped ambition. A persons' well developed sense of self and the world is vital in keeping what wealth is earned. People must not forget that his or her own virtue as a human should supercede the love of money, and that money should only be the vehicle and not the road itself.

Money itself is not evil. Wealth is not an enemy of humanity. Greed, avarice, and selfishness are the destructive elements.

It is entirely possible for an impoverished person to live a life of love and virtue. It's just easier with access to a lot of money. With money, one can provide a bigger check to their favorite charity. With money, you can expand your worldly scope by travelling and experiencing new and different people. With money, you can afford to acheive a great education without the sometimes debilitating effects of having to pay off student loans afterward. You can feed many more of the hungry. You can have more time to do the things you love instead of doing the things you have to do. Money can help free your liberties and give you an 'open' view of the world as opposed to the mental prison you may feel when you fight gridlock to crawl into a job you dislike everyday.

Money is not our enemy. Our underdeveloped sense of self-worth, our selfishness and greed, our disdain for philanthropy, our uncaring attitude for the environment, our acceptance of mediocrity, these are our enemies.

My mother lives in Minnesota with my little brother. My other little brother lives in Australia. I live in Atlanta. Though she doesn't talk about it, I constantly remind myself that my mother may feel as though she will never see her three boys in the same room ever again for the rest of her life. This is because we we've never had a great deal of money in our lives. This is not acceptable to me, and I am determined to change this. I am early in my success, but I never forget why I am doing what I'm doing. Someday soon, I will write about providing my mother with seeing all her boys in the same room together. That is one of the many noble reasons why I'm doing what I do. That is why I want to achieve a healthy abundance of wealth. Ask yourself, what are your reasons?