Money is the root of all evil?

I've heard that said since I was a little boy. Usually when talking about some awful deed that was committed. Fraud? Theft? Robbery? Murder? It's all been done to get money and will be again.

Many people believe the origin of the saying is religious. The Bible (Timothy 6:10) says something like the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil causing some to stray from the faith.

That message doesn't say money itself is evil but that some of us value it above more important things. Sounds like things haven't changed much since then.

Today money is thought about, written about, talked about, every day. Books on how to make money become best sellers. There are forums, think tanks, seminars and countless mind numbing board meetings devoted to the subject.

The internet has millions of websites put there by people trying to make money and more appear daily. In 1848 hundreds of thousands came to California from all over the world to find gold. The internet is today's California and like their earlier cousins some of our gold diggers will actually find some but most will not.

Like in biblical times money is still high on the list of things we want to possess. It's an indicator of success. A person who has made lots of money and can have whatever it will buy is envied. Is it really that important or can I be a success without accumulating a pile of money?

My feeling is that money is a tool. Like a hammer or a toaster. It makes daily life more convenient. Helps me do something a little easier. If I grow food or carve candle sticks I can trade what I produce for hammers or toasters without using money at all. It's just not as easy.

Same with services. I build you a shed, you fix my car. We just have to agree that the exchange is even. We really could abandon the use of money if we had to but it sure would make life different.

Money wasn't somebody's brilliant invention. Something thought up out of the blue. We progressed through lots of stages to get here. It's a long journey from trading animal skins for pretty beads to trading money. Pieces of paper that represent animal skins and beads.

We also have pieces of paper (stocks, bonds, certificates) that represent pieces of paper (money) that represents skins and beads. With or without the paper the bargaining process is still the same.

You convince me your skins are worth my beads. The most skillful bargainers still end up with the most stuff. Warren Buffet, Bill Gates and Donald Trump have a whole pile of beads.

Having some money put aside for a rainy day is one thing. If I accumulate large amounts over and above my basic needs of food, clothing and shelter I have probably traded large blocks of my time here on earth for it. Fine if I looked forward to and enjoyed that time. If not it's a bad trade..

A bad trade means I have figured out how to do something valuable and become obsessed with it. I gave up the things I enjoy to make hammers, grow food, sell cars, trade skins for beads, you name it endlessly. My reward is the same as a pile of toasters. Just things.

Things are not the most important ingredient in a happy life. New shiny things today become old dull things before you know it. Being in love with things is a one sided romance. They don't last, they don't love you back and you're forever lusting after new ones.

Really improving life starts with spending less time chasing money and more time making me better. Developing my ability to relax and relate to others can and frequently does lead to more income. That is a nice side benefit but with or without it the updated version of me is happier.

People around the updated version of me are happier. I am more relaxed and able to handle the ups and downs. I have less anxiety, feel better, think better, tolerate the little irritations from others more easily. The improved habits rub off in a widening circle. The benefits are evergreen.

Money is not the root of all evil but an obsession with it can make the same miserable life that any other obsession makes. I'm scheduling activities that make money in equal doses with personal improvement. I'm just not that fond of toasters.