Why I Love Money

Is the love of money really the root of all evil or the beginning of a powerful awakening?

Many are familiar with the ominous verse from the Bible which warns that “the love of money is the root of all evil.” Although scholars have provided a revised translation (“the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil”) there still exists for many a sense of uneasiness when it comes to becoming too fond of money. It is to be admired from a distance, we’re taught; but it's certainly not to be loved.

Recently I began making a concerted effort to get my finances in order by, among other things, eliminating unnecessary spending and debt.  Knowing that every true change begins within, I started taking a close look at the way I thought about everything related to money and my finances. I soon realized I had a few long-held beliefs that had discouraged my close attention to money matters.  Subconsciously, I had felt that I shouldn't give money too much of my attention for fear of becoming obsessed with it.  "Do what you love, and the money will follow," meant that I should focus my attention on people, my various interests and doing things that make me happy— not fee structures, interest rates and dividends.

As I started questioning the concept of money being at the core of all human ills, one day I asked myself, “Is there anything we can maintain a healthy relationship with without putting our love into it?” I searched my mind for an answer and I couldn’t find one… not a marriage, not relationships with family members, not a career, not even a hobby. If we are to succeed in any of these areas we must put our love into them.  Why should money be any different?

Armed with my new mindset, I began looking into the notion of loving money and ran across the work of Meadow DeVor. In her book “Money Love,” DeVor helps us banish any connection between loving money and evil when she states, “Loving money is not the root of all evil. Evil is the root of all evil.” DeVor encourages us to make amends with money and to nurture, appreciate and respect it as we would a "loved one." The book and Meadow’s work as a money coach is certainly groundbreaking, but you needn’t buy any book to develop a new mindset when it comes to money. All one has to do is think, “Is this the way I treat someone or something I love?” The mindfulness and introspection necessary to answer that question is enough to stop the momentum of a previously rocky relationship with money.

It stands to reason that if we want to have a healthy relationship with money we should treat it lovingly in a healthy way. This doesn’t mean stalking it, obsessing over it, taking it for granted, or ignoring it. It means, being conscientious toward it, appreciating it, and generally treating it with respect. Loving money is perfectly healthy and builds a strong relationship with an important part of our lives.  But, just like any significant other who feels abused, mistreated and taken for granted, money doesn’t want to stick around if we don't treat it well.  It only puts up with so much before it leaves us, and there we stand with our empty wallets wondering why.

Like anything, adopting the money love mindset doesn't happen instantly.  It takes time for a change in consciousness to manifest in a change in behavior that brings about a change in our circumstances. But, for the love of money and all the potential a healthy relationship with it holds for us, it is well worth the journey.