| Money. The root of all evil???
"Most alcoholics owe money. We do not dodge our creditors. Telling them what we are trying to do, we make no bones about our drinking; they usually know it anyway, whether we think so or not. Nor are we afraid of disclosing our alcoholism on the theory it may cause financial harm. Approached in this way, the most ruthless creditor will sometimes surprise us. Arranging the best deal we can we let these people know we are sorry. Our drinking has made us slow to pay. We must lose our fear of creditors no matter how far we have to go, for we are liable to drink if we are afraid to face them." (BB "Into Action", first edition)
The Big Book explains the importance of making financial amends. Financial situations have in fact led to relapse in some alcoholics.
"Money problems", are usually the number one cause of divorce and destroyed relationships. Many see one having an abundance of money as being powerful. But money does not buy happiness. An insane lust for money is defined in one word...
Greed.
Let's face it. It is a major reason why the real estate market is in the toilet, and fuel costs are through the roof. The "big wigs" with the money and power say it's because of supply and demand (fuel prices), yet it is well publicized of their record profits. China has over 2 billion people and is looked at as a serious over population problem, yet some see it as simply more potential paying customers.
Is money the root of all evil? Greed is obviously a bad character defect. Greed is a form of selfishness, and is one of the seven deadly sins. We all know as alcoholics in AA how dangerous selfishness and self-seeking objectives are to us. When we yearn for money and see the rich with all their toys it can harvest another bad character defect...
Envy. Yet another of the 7 deadly sins. And envy can lead us into resentment.
Selfishness and resentment. Money and greed can lead to both of these character defects and the BB says point blank the danger of selfishness and resentment.
I believe money is not the root of all evil. The value of money is simply financial and nothing else. Money can not buy you happiness, it cannot buy more attention from God, and it cannot buy you sobriety. Our minds play the part in making money that root to the evil.
Selfishness and resentment can come out in many different situations. It just appears the that they can arise more often in situations pertaining to money.
I learned and continue to learn that if I truly practice the principals of AA in all my affairs, I see that money is not all that important. I see it as important enough to support my family and really not much else.
That however can always change. If I decide to get complacent, it can be very easy to fall back into old and nasty habits.
Money isn't everything. It's only a thing. Love, selfless acts, and doing you best at doing the right thing are what's important. Doing Gods Will costs no amount of currency but is truly priceless.
Like the old saying goes...
"It's about belonging not belongings."
Tom
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