For the Love of Money

I always find it fascinating that most spiritual people are so quick to dismiss money and finance as part of the seeker’s life and journey. It seems to me that this reticence to deal with the issue of money is more a reflection of our discomfort with money, than the nature of money itself. I know that we have all been taught that the Bible that money is the root of all evil.

In fact, most religious and spiritual traditions say that the love of money is the root of all evil.
That word ‘love’ is not irrelevant. It seems to me that the real issue that we are facing in this day and age is this issue of loving money. I don’t think this means we should not like or enjoy having money. I think this is more about the multitude of idols that we create in our lives, that distract us from our divine purpose or higher calling. The O’Jay’s song For the Love of Money speaks directly to this issue. The verses talk about all of the horrific things that human beings will do for the love of money. And while these things (stealing from their brother, robbing their own mother) are truly despicable, for me the most tragic and disturbing effect of the love of money is how that love disconnects us from connection with our Source.

Money, in and of itself, is not worthy of our love. Absent of Divine energy, which is the giver of life, money is inanimate. The love of money is a misunderstanding of the nature of money and a misplacement of our adoration. Instead of bestowing our love on the superficial, when we look deeper, it becomes abundantly clear that the true object of our affection must be the Divine. The next time you are having strong positive feelings about money, stop and reflect on what it is you are loving. Is it the money or is it the life giving experiences that it is facilitating?