The Morality of Money

[TenBobNote]

This is for anyone who would use the phrase** “Money is the source of evil”**. I ask you to please give me 10 minutes of your time so I can… or let the author of this book, more specifically, explain to you her point.

I am currently reading a book by Ayn Rand, an atheist… I know, I disagree with her on many points, yet she raises morality questions in humanity that can not be left dismissed.

So again, please take some time to read this passage, it explains the nature of money very well.

capitalismmagazine.com/economics/money/1826-Franciscos-Money-Speech.html

 

[Julian0404]

A nice read, kinda like Adam Smith revisited.

However, that is not the point Jesus was making. Money becomes GOD to people who allow it. They focus their mind, their energy, their prayers, their beliefs on everything in the systems explained in the article on one goal, getting more and more and more money.

GOD is not against money, having made the wealthiest man, Solomon wealthy. He is against the use of money replacing in our minds, hearts and homes and businesses the dependence we have upon GOD.

And it does that, if we puruse it in that fashion.

At the end of the day, trust the words of Jesus over the words of economists, athiests, etc. etc.

 

[mini_me640]

People use the phrase incorrectly all the time. The LOVE of money is the root of all evil, not money itself.

 

[TenBobNote]

People use the phrase incorrectly all the time. The LOVE of money is the root of all evil, not money itself.

Are you certain? I’m going to quote a section of the article I presented,

"Or did you say it’s the love of money that’s the root of all evil? To love a thing is to know and love its nature. To love money is to know and love the fact that money is the creation of the best power within you, and your passkey to trade your effort for the effort of the best among men. It’s the person who would sell his soul for a nickel, who is loudest in proclaiming his hatred of money–and he has good reason to hate it. The lovers of money are willing to work for it. They know they are able to deserve it. "

Would Jesus condemn the love of using your brain to the best of his/her ability to make something for the benefit of another as another trades, in like fashion, their best product or service using the tool of money to trade their “bests” in a fair way?

Here is another quote from the article with a more insidious nature,

"Money is your means of survival. The verdict you pronounce upon the source of your livelihood is the verdict you pronounce upon your life. If the source is corrupt, you have damned your own existence. Did you get your money by fraud? By pandering to men’s vices or men’s stupidity? By catering to fools, in the hope of getting more than your ability deserves? By lowering your standards? By doing work you despise for purchasers you scorn? If so, then your money will not give you a moment’s or a penny’s worth of joy. Then all the things you buy will become, not a tribute to you, but a reproach; not an achievement, but a reminder of shame. Then you’ll scream that money is evil. Evil, because it would not pinch-hit for your self-respect? Evil, because it would not let you enjoy your depravity? Is this the root of your hatred of money?

 

[stinkcat_14]

"The lovers of money are willing to work for it. They know they are able to deserve it. "

If people work honestly for money there is nothing wrong with that. On the other hand, I know someone who makes a good bit of money, and part of that good bit of money comes from working on Sundays. This person doesn’t go to church, so they put money ahead of God. What is praiseworthy about that. Hard working yes, praiseworthy no.

 

[centurionguard]

People use the phrase incorrectly all the time. The LOVE of money is the root of all evil, not money itself.

Exactly; money like the acquiring of materialism always comes to this:
Are you possessed by what you own? (“Do money and material goods possess you?”)

Or do you possess money and material goods?

Of itself for its own sake there is absolutely NO evil in owning money or material goods.

Its how you use it.

A lot of self-discipline comes into play as to how one uses what God gives us.
And we are ALL accountable before God on how one chooses to dispose and use such riches in life. Even small possessions can possess a person.

Everything is a gift from God. Instead of saying I own this or that, my house or car why not declare that God owns everything I possess to be used with good moral intentions.

Indeed; how hard it is for any rich man to enter the eye of the needle that leads to the spiritual journey on the narrow path