The evil in money

Money is one of the greatest economic artifacts in the contemporary society since it eases the payment of goods. In a traditional economic context, money is essential for paying for goods and services and repayment of debts. Economics, as a discipline, has identified three core functions of money as a store of value, a unit of account, and a medium of exchange. Money, however, raises serious discussions because it considerably affects the social lives of human beings. Money intrudes into normal livelihoods of people thereby influencing notable problems. The love of money causes notable evils in social settings.

Money is a detrimental to the survival of religions in the world. It is essential to highlight that religions have greatly contributed to the welfare of human beings. This is because religious entities induce discipline in social settings. Religion thrives on the behaviorist thought system whereby commendable behavior attains rewards while punishment tames antisocial behavior. Religion also helps in instilling morals such as love. Money, however, induces partial attention to religious matters as individuals become more concerned with material welfare. Spirituality occupies a vital place in human history since it influences people in perceiving themselves beyond superficiality (Bailey & Law, 2006).

Money creates inequality in the lives of people. Unlike the barter system, where individuals led simplistic lives, money complicates social relations, as it becomes wealth, in itself. In the barter exchange system, individuals could only exchange given goods for other goods. This suggests that an individual only exchanges one’s property when one needs particular commodities. Needs formed the primary purpose for economic exchange. On the other hand, the introduction of money means that individuals can purchase commodities that they do not need. In the end, the individual who possess more materials moves into a higher social class. This divides people into differentiated classes thereby inviting animosity from the less privileged members of the society.

Money destroys the harmony and health of family lives. Money is a deep manifestation of a material society that emphasizes on wealth accumulation rather than fulfillment of basic human emotional needs such as love (Bierlich, 2007). There is significant evidence that money is a major factor causing strains in families. In the current society, most parents spend considerable time looking for money. This suggests that children are increasingly spending limited time with their parents. In turn, children develop psychological problems such as attention disorders. Children who possess emotions of neglect do not afford quality relationships with others in their adulthood years. In addition, in cases of financial crisis in households, arguments between parents normally increase. This strains family relations as partners judge each other based on income that one earns.

Money is the root of notable evils in the world. Money significantly destroys the survival of religions in the world. This is because individuals accord partial attention to religious matters. Inadequate presence of religion in the society denotes poor morals and limited focus on non-material concerns of life. Money induces inequality in the liveS of people. In as much as money should essentially serve as medium of exchange, it also serves as a store of value. Money is a manifestation of a materialistic culture whereby people move into higher social classes through its accumulation. Individuals who are less privileged may, therefore, develop feelings of inferiority. Money also destroys the harmony of family lives. This is because parents devote limited attention to the nurturing of children when they spend considerable time looking for money.

References

Bailey, G., & Law, F. (2006). What’s it all worth?: the value of money. New York, NY: Capstone.

Bierlich, B. (2007). The problem of money: African agency and Western medicine in northern Ghana. New York, NY: Berghahn Books.