"It's a kind of spiritual snobbery that makes people think they can be happy without money."
Albert A. Camus
Money is a man-made instrument of trade for goods and services. It is paper referred to as bank notes and metals in the form of coins with assigned values. The value determines the quality and quantity of goods and services we acquire. The Free Dictionary.com By Farlex gives an in-depth definition of money. We no longer live in a agricultural society where people grow their own food, sew their own clothes, and build their own houses. For the most part, we must purchase those commodities from businesses and contractors. Our grass roots survival on this planet depends on meeting basic needs-food, clothing, and shelter. Therefore, money is indeed a necessary instrument for physical survival.
Wouldn't it be nice if houses, cars, groceries, clothing, and toiletries were just issued to people? The manufacturers, growers, cultivators, transporters, etc., would be paid income to purchase solely what they desired beyond their basic needs. A dream world of fairy tales where everyone had everything they needed. In the real world, the resources required to meet one's basic needs are allocated via the exchange of money for goods and services. When one cannot acquire resources needed to survive, physical existence is endangered. When one is struggling to survive, they become ensnared in those circumstances...trapped in that reality. It is impossible to give attention to anything else.
 |
| Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs |
The distraction of survival pulls us away from higher thinking and our divine purposes.
Consistently worrying about how bills will be paid, how necessities will be acquired, and how basic needs will be met keeps the consciousness at a very low frequency. Who honestly cares about navigating higher dimensions when you are about to get evicted for not paying rent or mortgage? Who is concerned about the higher self when the stomach is growling from hunger and lack of nutrition? Who can go out and conquer the world when constantly fighting illness and disease? Lower needs must be met prior to fulfilling spiritual ones. We exist in the physical world to accomplish a specific goal that we agreed upon in the spirit world. Physical existence must be maintained long enough and at a standard high enough to accomplish goals and fulfill one's purpose. The brain, for example, is the physical shelter for consciousness, the soul, our thoughts, and reasoning. If the brain is not healthy and functional the mind cannot express itself appropriately. If the pineal gland is calcified from lack of proper nutrition one cannot access higher realms or interact with the higher self. Spiritual health is undeniably impacted by physical and mental health because we are holistic beings with interconnected parts. In order to maintain overall integrity, basic needs must be met and that requires money$$$. Our world is structured to acquire almost everything we need or want through the act of trade and that has been so since ancient days and will likely continue until the end of the world. The form of currency may change, but the role it plays will remain the same.
People who think it is Godly to be poor are out of touch with God.
There is a segment of the religious community that believes being poor is equivalent to being holy and is pleasing to God. They stereotype all wealthy people as bad and corrupt and poor people as being more righteous. Religious people will refer to the Biblical story of the poor man who died and went to heaven seeing the rich man who died and went to hell. In addition, the Bible verse Mark 10:25 states, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." Translation: The eye of a needle during Biblical times was a small gate in the wall surrounding a city. The camels were able to pass through it with difficulty, but it was not impossible. In like manner, it is easier for a rich person to become prideful about their material wealth. There is the tendency for the financially prosperous person to uplift and glorify materialism as opposed to glorifying the Creator. Nevertheless, it is not impossible to be both spiritually and materially prosperous. It all boils down to our value systems and how we prioritize things in life. The Supreme One that manifested creation intended for everyone to have all they needed to thrive and accomplish their life missions. It is the corruption and greed of mankind that has distorted the divine plan for humanity.
Money is not the root of all evil, but the greed for it is.
Money is a necessary tool for survival on this physical realm and promotes quality of life. There is absolutely nothing evil about money within itself. The value we place on possessing it and the means we use to acquire it define the energy associated with it. The value and importance placed on having money dictate how we act and treat each other in financial situations. If one views money as more important than the non-material components of life, love, human character, decency, etc., money becomes their God and no amount will ever be enough. The monster of greed will raise its ugly head and facilitate actions that have no regard for the well-being or safety of others. One must remember that money is just a means to maintain a quality life in the physical world. It is of no use in the scheme of eternity and cannot benefit anyone beyond this plateau.
Money is a tool that can be used to help people and solve global problems.
The more money you have, the better position you are in to aid those in need, address major issues, and solve mankind's problems. Financial wealth provides an avenue for good and noble deeds on a wide scale. The blessing of financial prosperity without its application to the advancement of the human race is a disgrace! Also, a sense of entitlement without expression of gratitude will surely bring about bad karma. It is not a crime to enjoy material possessions and a luxurious lifestyle. However, if one's primary concern is competing with someone else for bragging rights in their social circles for who has the biggest yacht, the biggest diamonds, and the most nuggets of gold, he or she is going down the wrong path. It has been said that to whom much is given much is required. Having blind eyes to the massive suffering that exists in the world today is a shameful byproduct of man's inhumanity to man. It is said that we should be our brother's keeper and the Universal Law of Oneness speaks for itself.
As we travel through our life journeys, we will encounter both facilitators and obstacles. Money can be either one...it is up to the individual on how they engage the financial aspects of their life. The Creator has given mankind dominion over money, its creation, acquisition, distribution, etc. Therefore, it is our responsibility to maximize the benefits and use the Universal Laws to our advantage. Ultimately, the advancement of the human race will occur within every realm---physical, mental, and spiritual.
What is your opinion/view on the relationship between money and spirituality?
Do you believe all financial issues can be traced to a spiritual source? If yes, how?
Have you ever resolved a money problem with one or more spiritual practices? If so, what did you do specifically?
