The illusion of money

There is more to cherish in life than copious amounts of money

Andrew Brand |Argonaut

Money isn’t everything. This is something we know, but I think we could all stand to understand more deeply.

Money is a tool. It is neutral. Neither good nor bad.

People live their whole lives for money, and people die for money. People have lavish lifestyles because of money, and people live in poverty because of money.

Money isn’t the thing to blame for anything. Money is powerless in itself — it’s the perceived value of money that provides power.

We spend so much of our lives worrying about the value of dollar signs.

Worry doesn’t change anything — it just takes away your freedom. Worry masquerades as wisdom, but has it ever added a single dollar to your bank account?

Andrew Brand | Argonaut

The saying goes, “money is the root of all evil.” This can’t be true because money is neutral. The origin of this saying is a quote from a letter written by the first century Jewish and Roman citizen, Paul the Apostle, as recorded in the Bible, “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” This focuses on the love of money, not money itself.

It notes all kinds of evil, not evil itself. Now this can be seen as true. If money is neutral than it can be used for all kinds of evil as well as all kinds of good and everything in-between.

A less archaic word for evil is harm. The point is, money itself isn’t the root of harm, but it can, and often is used for harmful purposes.

It’s all about what you do with it. 

Someone can use a rock to create a beautiful sculpture, or they could use that same rock to throw at someone. One option provides art, while the other provides pain. The rock is neutral. It can be used for all kinds of good or all kinds of harm. In the same way, money is an object manipulated by human intentions for good or harm.

Money doesn’t deserve to be loved. Not in the same way we love each other. Rocks don’t deserve to be loved either. They should be respected and cared for, like the entire planet, but not loved like people.

Show love to people with money instead of loving money. Money can become a cold and cruel metaphorical lover that can’t and won’t reciprocate affection.

Many of us have been fed the idea that money buys happiness our whole lives. We go to college, work hard and strive for the coveted six-figure salary. If we don’t measure up to our expectations, we feel like a failure.

There’s more to life than money. The best moments in life don’t involve money. They involve experiences and the people involved in those experiences.

Money is just a tool — simply a means and a resource.

If you lose a bunch of money, it’s OK — you’ll get through it. If you gain a bunch of money, great, but your life shouldn’t fundamentally change. Money amplifies what is already there. Kindness plus money equals more kindness. Greed plus money equals more greed.

There will likely be times in your life where you will have an abundance of money, enjoy it. There will also likely be times when money is limited. The average college student can relate. Whatever the case, be content and thankful for what you do have instead of worrying or being bitter about what you don’t have.

Money is a small piece of the vast experience of life. Don’t let it get in the way of living life to the fullest.

Andrew Brand can be reached at [email protected]

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