UNITED STATES—Money, what is it about this small, green, paper thin item that tends to bring out the worst in most of us? Why is money considered the root of all evil? It’s not easy to address this question, without examining all the complexities of what money can do.
First and foremost, it’s a tradable commodity. With money you are allowed to purchase items of value or items that bring pleasure as one would say. Of course we’ve all heard the saying, “Money can’t buy you happiness.” Unfortunately, that comes from many people who have little to no money.
Those with excessive amounts would say otherwise. Why? Well money is a means to an end. With money it’s not just about purchasing goods, it’s about having POWER. Yes, money is a form of power, and in some people’s opinion, it’s the greatest form of power to man. When you have money, it provides a person the opportunity to get others to do things for you; it’s a form of influence. Throw a few dollars at someone’s face and there is no telling what the person would do to get what you’re offering.
Think for a second, when was the last time you did something outrageous to earn a few bucks? There is a line to be drawn in the sand, when it comes to committing heinous and despicable crimes for money, but it’s a factor in the culture we live in.
Many robberies or murders occur at the hands of people who are seeking monetary value. It doesn’t justify the action, in no shape, way or form! That’s the scary aspect about our little green friend: it brings out the worst in people. Some of us work two or three jobs to keep a little extra cash in our pockets, while others are willing to sell their soul to the Devil to have enough funds to purchase lavish houses, cars and other amenities.
I tell this to people time and time again, the one thing about money that never changes: as fast as it comes the quicker it goes. Think about all those big time celebs who splurge hundreds of thousands, and in some cases millions of dollars a year. They have to have a source of income to regenerate that revenue or guess what, they run it. Money never lasts forever, even if the commodity was placed in a bank account or trust.
Taxes still have to be paid, and let’s face it there will always be someone who wants something, not matter how rude you are about not giving in, with money we always do. It gives us a little power to make someone do what we want them to do. Of course, no one is going to admit to it, but think about it unconsciously, how many times you have actually used money as a form of power to get someone to do something that you wanted.
Likely many more times than you’d like to admit. I hate money in one aspect because the greed factor destroys so many lives; on the other hand my quest to have it never ceases to exist. Why? Well it eases worries regarding credit card bills, house mortgages, car notes, light and gas bills, groceries; I mean the list goes on and on. With money the stress of having to pay something becomes less, but at the same time it opens up a door for many more problems. Money does not solve problems; it’s the root of many more problems because at its core it’s a form of power, and nothing else.
By Trevor Roberts
