I Decided Money Wasn’t the Problem

But some of the bad stuff is true.

I’ve said the words before.

When I said them, I meant them.

“Money is the root of all evil.” I was sure of it.

It makes sense when you see families split apart after a will is read or best friends and business partners become enemies over how money should be spent or split.

It’s really quite sickening. For a long time, it made me feel that people’s lives would be ruined once money was part of the picture.

Unfortunately, that can sometimes become a limiting thought, and I realized that it was exactly that for me. I had to flip the script.

Lately, I’ve come to see things a little differently when it comes to having an abundance of money.

My feeling is that whatever you are, money just makes you more of that. In other words, it’s neutral.

Bingo.

There are blissfully happy souls barely making ends meet, and miserable ones with more money than they could ever spend.

I suppose there are also those who aren’t ever happy, no matter what.

“It’s pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness; poverty and wealth have both failed.”

— Kin Hubbard

Turns out, that not only is money not the root of all evil, but there are a few other thoughts I’ve struggled with when it comes to money.

Rebranded Money Myth #1: Money doesn’t have to make you selfish or unethical.

This may be true if a person is that way in the first place. But a person who is inherently honest and generous by nature and wants to share what they have isn’t suddenly going to become selfish as they make more money and gain wealth.

Right?

Most people who have a generous disposition will only see wealth as an opportunity to do more for others, not less.

That said, there is some evidence that those who accumulate a certain amount of wealth increase involvement in unethical behavior or rule-breaking.

The 2012 study in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America” labeled the behavior “self-interest maximization”. The more wealthy the individual, the greater their propensity to take a “what’s in it for me” mindset.

Final thought:

While the evidence can suggest a lack of ethical behavior correlating with more money, it’s not true for everyone.

I’m sticking to my belief that seeking to find opportunities to increase your wealth is not a crime, is not shameful, and won’t automatically compromise your ethics.

As long as what you’re doing to earn it is ethical, honest, and not hurting anyone, acquiring more money is freedom.

And freedom gives you the ability to do more for others.

That sounds incredible to me.

Rebranded Money Myth #2: Money doesn’t mean you think you’re better than anyone else.

A study published in an August 2013 issue of the “Journal of Personality and Social Psychology” posed the question of rating class, genetics, and I.Q to learn whether different levels of wealth created a sense of “class essentialism.”

That is the belief of differences between two groups can be explained by differences in fundamental identities. As in dogs having a certain dogness about them, and cats possessing a certain catness.

Interestingly, the wealthy participants did have a deeper sense of essentialism, believing that wealth was a part of their identity and they were somehow entitled to it. They also believed that life is fair, for the most part, and people get what is deserved.

The “poor” respondents held the belief that anyone can be wealthy or poor.

That is my belief. I’m not rich or poor. Just average.

Final thought:

I feel there’s a difference if you accumulate wealth throughout your life versus being born into it. I can see how being born with a silver spoon could skew your mindset a little bit.

But grinding and working hard to make a lot of money? I don’t think that necessarily makes someone feel they are in a different class or more entitled.

I maintain you won’t suddenly forget what it took you to get to a better place.

Having abundant money can do so much to help get in touch with others, just by giving you the ability to spend time understanding challenges and while providing an avenue to help.

That also sounds incredible to me.

Rebranded Money Myth #3: Having money isn’t just there for some, but for everyone.

While it may be more difficult for some, and it may take a little more courage and creativity to find an in-road, having money isn’t reserved only for some people.

Think of all the people you know that have abundant money. Are they all smarter than you? Did they all have opportunities that were not available to you? Are they more talented?

Not likely.

And there’s plenty to go around.

Final thought:

If you have access to a computer, then you can get really scrappy and get in the game. You can reach out to anyone and start a conversation. There are a million ways to do that today.

Gone are the days of having to climb some ladder in some place in order to get ahead. Especially when that means you’re building someone else’s dream while your spirit is being crushed and your gift is being wasted.

It’s there for all of us. Go after it. It has your name on it.

There should be no shame about liking, wanting, or trying to find new ways to earn it.

I don’t believe you will become selfish, out of touch, or shallow unless you have a proclivity for that to begin with.

As for me, I want to work hard and welcome money, with all the good that it can do, into my life.

And still remain a good person.

It can happen.