Is money the root of all evil?
Interesting question!
Can money perform actions by itself? Is it not merely pieces of paper and shaped metal alloys? If this is true then how can money be the root of all evil?
I've had many interesting discussions over this topic especially with left-wing socialists who believe that the world would be a better place if we ascribed to an economic system that gives each person equal portions.
By asking this question we're making the assumption that money has some level of influence over the beholder. That in effect, those who earn or have more money are more likely to be "evil" than those who don't. If it were true then we could safely assume that those who have the least amount of money would be the nicest people in the world. Conversely presuming the opposite of wealthy people.
Or is it just that people are somehow altered by having money that they end up being more evil as a result? This could be true but it therefore alleviates the finger pointing at money and pokes at the behaviour of the person.
My theory is that some people are inherently evil with, or without money, while others are characterised with kindness and generosity with, or without, money. It's just that money exposes what's actually inside the person who has it.
Money, in the hands of an evil person, can cause ultimate catastrophe not only to the person who has malicious intent but also to the victims who suffer at their hands. Take 9/11 as an example. Were the terrorists evil before they secured the finances to pull off their devastating act or was the money merely a tool in their already grubby minds?
The fact of the matter is that we just didn't know they were that evil until the money became available. Once the finance was secured the plan was put into action but only as a result of the evil they had already purposed.
On the other side of the equation, there are many people who are filthy rich who live on modest wages and donate the surplus to needy charities. They create philanthropic trust funds that benefit the poor, the sick, the homeless and basically anyone in dire need.
Was it because of the money that they became generous? I doubt it. If a research study were conducted I'm sure we would see a trend that people who fall into this category were characterised by generosity prior to having the money. It was just that when the money became available they could be more generous than they previously could have been.
The Bible says, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils..." (1 Timothy 6:10 ESV). Why? For we see that people who lust after material wealth (money) are inherently selfish. They pursue it for their own selfish ends.
This doesn't mean that we can't have our own ambitions, desires and dreams. It merely means that we need to keep it in perspective. Think of others, not just ourselves. Consider society before you consider your 3rd Porsche.
Money is purely a tool, either for good - or for evil. Place it in anyone's hands and it will be like holding a mirror to their soul.
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Another derivation of money and evil is:
1. Girls require time and money: girls = time * money
2. "Time is money": time = money
3. So girls are money squared: girls = money^2
4. "Money is the root of all evil": money = sqrt{evil}
5. So girls are absolutely evil: girls = [(sqrt{evil})^2] = |evil|
Posted by: Finance Junkie | June 22, 2006 9:29 AM
Another money myth / quote is that "money buys happiness". My take on that part was to talk in opposites by proposing that "money doesn't buy happiness" BUT "lack of money makes you sad".
Do you think an opposite take on this "money is the root of all evil" would help?
Posted by: Investorial | June 22, 2006 2:13 PM
Very cute Finance Junkie.
Vince(Investorial) - this is quite possibly a good idea. Re: your "money buys happiness" I have another post that I talked about such a philosophy. Check it out.
Posted by: Stu | June 22, 2006 11:48 PM
Time is money. And definitely depends upon person to person.
Posted by: ashita | January 3, 2007 12:57 AM