Money is a tool. It is simply a method of obtaining goods and services and having money which is not committed to paying for accommodation, food, taxes and other essential demands allows us to buy for pleasure.

As a result, the acquisition of money has become the driving force for many. With money comes status and the ability to boast that we have enough to show off our wealth. To be able to buy the latest car, gadget and clothes shows that we have value, if money is taken as the base line.

When we are short of money we cannot show the world we matter. Those who are poor in money are often not considered important. The possession of money has distorted our perception of the worth of individuals. In many countries the belief remains that the poor only have themselves to blame, yet education, good food, cleanliness and suitable accommodation can only be bought with money. Hence the problem so many face of how to earn enough to satisfy their needs.

But, what is enough? For one person it might be having sufficient to buy food for the day and sleep in a safe home. For someone else the need is a bottomless pit which can never be satisfied however much is owned in property or cash in the bank.

So many problems faced by humanity are caused by one person refusing to consider that other humans have rights. It's a case of 'I'm all right, Jack'. Landlords who will not maintain their property so that safety and cleanliness are possible, traders who sell falsely labelled goods which purport to be fashionable items, big business which ignores the pollution it causes which has a knock on effect throughout the environment are guilty of greed and a misplaced understanding of money.

There is an ethical element to money which is often ignored, yet current financial institutions which run their businesses in an ethical way are doing well at the moment. They are surviving in a time when traditional businesses are struggling and asking for handouts. It's worth considering what they are doing which is working.

What these people fail to realize is that being cooperative and working with others has been shown by scientific research to be the most successful way to survive. This might sound to some like communism but look at those families who cooperate, pool their resources for the common good and ensure that their members have the resources they need for education. Invariably they become highly successful financially. They are often decried by others for their apparent nepotism, but it works.

It is human nature to consider the self first. No one else feels the physical pain we each feel, nor the fear of failure, not the need to feel valued. In a world where there are many socially isolated people this is a recipe for disaster. Loneliness breeds time to think negatively. Those youths who shoot up schools in various parts of the world are an example. They are noticed as oddballs, yet no one takes the time to find out why. They are too busy making enough money to survive.

The sad thing is we have the capacity to change this system and improve our lot through helping others. That does not mean interfering with other peoples lives but being supportive. Money is a misunderstood tool which is misused.

Learn more about this author, Rosemary Redfern.
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