Money and Greed: A Healthier Perspective Needs to Be Cultivated

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
~ the Bible, Matthew 6:24

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I am currently in the middle of an interesting book entitled, "The Confessions of an Economic Hitman," by John Perkins.

We all know corruption and greed are prevalent and even promoted in our culture. It would be interesting to do a study on whether or not people REALLY know how much suffering occurs due to our need for more cheap stuff. (I call it the "Wal-mart mentality." Everyone always wants it as cheaply as possible but nothing is ever cheap. Someone, somewhere has to pay the price for our plastic crap.)

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Just a few excerpts from the book:

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"It was not until several years later that I realized that from an NSA viewpoint these negatives actually are positive. Their assessment had less to do with the issues of loyalty to my country than with the frustrations of my life. Anger at my parents, an obsession with women, and my ambition to live the good life gave them the hook; I was seducible. My determination to excel in school and in sports, my ultimate rebellion against my father, my ability to get along with foreigners, and my willingness to lie to the police were exactly the types of attributes they sought."

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"I also realized that my college professors had not understood the true nature of macroeconomics: that in many cases helping an economy grow only makes those few people who sit atop the pyramid even richer, while it does nothing for those at the bottom except to push them even lower. Indeed, promoting capitalism often results in a system that resembles medieval feudal societies. If any of my professors knew this, they had not admitted it - probably because big corporations, and the men who run them, fund colleges. Exposing the truth would undoubtedly cost those professors their jobs - just as such revelations could cost mine."

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Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
~ the Bible, Peter 5:2-3

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Will You EVER Have Enough Money??

I think this is a valid question to ponder. At some point, hopefully, we should have a roof over our heads, food to eat, and enough set aside for various issues that arise (like car repairs, etc.). If we can pay our bills and still have a little left over, I am thankful indeed.

Even when I was "dirt poor" I always was able to give my time here and there to events or organizations that I felt needed my time. I didn't have the money to spare but I could plan and organize fund raising events. It was hard work, for sure, and yet I knew I was performing a much needed service for my community.

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Time is Money

I like that saying, "Time is money." It puts money into proper perspective. How much of this limited time on Earth are you willing to give up in exchange for money? With all the dis-ease and ill health going around, I would speculate that maybe, just maybe, we need to carve out a little time every day where we do things we enjoy and that do not cost money.

I like to spend time in my garden, even in the winter. Some plants die off completely while others show a little greenery after a little rain and warm sunny day. Their resilience inspires me. We can learn much just from observing nature. (I just had a thought: I wonder why the color green was chosen for our paper currency?)

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Noticing the Need and Discovering Its Origin

What causes you to think you need more money? What needs aren't being met? How can you have a healthy relationship with money? Can you honestly say that everything that you buy you actually need?

When I go shopping I usually have a list and an objective. I know there will be shiny things that I could impulse buy if I linger too long. (I would always be surprised at all the things I thought I wanted to buy during the Christmas shopping season. Luckily, I had objectives then....I just browsed more.) Even now, when the purse strings are a little less tight, I still have this decades old habit of having my objective before I enter the store, get what I need, and get out.

Don't get me wrong, I do have a need for books. (I love to learn.) That would be my one weakness. I love books.

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For Me, Introspection is Key

• Why or why not are your needs being met?
• What could be done differently?
• Are you being realistic with these needs?
• What can you do to achieve the goals to meet your needs?

Nothing important in life was ever easy. If you have raised children, you understand me completely.

Take some time for yourself. Turn your screens off and go outside. The less you are influenced by the media and their constant barrage of commercials the healthier your outlook on life will be. You will need less because you will enjoy the real fruits of life.

Be well and God Bless!!