“Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one.” —Benjamin Franklin
The possession of money is not contrary to a simplified life, but the love of money is. The love of money can never be satisfied. It is a hopeless love that always desires more. It is a wasted energy. And more than that, it keeps us, our attitude, and our actions in bondage.
When the love of money is present, freedom is not.
- The love of money consumes our time. Whether we are thinking about how to find it, make it, grow it, or save it, the desire to acquire more robs us of our most important and finite resource: time.
- The love of money wastes our energy. It requires constant, continual attention. After all, no opportunity to acquire more can ever be wasted.
- The love of money devours our values. When the love of money is present in our lives, we become different people. The passion for money is a trap that quickly swallows our heart convictions and causes us to engage in behaviors that we would otherwise avoid.
- The love of money fuels competition. By definition, the love of money requires me to desire what you already possess. For me to gain more, you must part with yours. The world quickly becomes a zero-sum game dominated by jealousy and envy.
- The love of money limits our potential. We can never become greater than that which we most desire. When the acquisition of money becomes our greatest goal in life, we can never become greater than the balance in our bank account. And that’s a shame… we have so many greater things to offer this world.
- The love of money attracts the love of money. Our lives will naturally attract like-minded people. When we love money, we attract others who love money. And the more reinforcement we receive from those around us, the more natural the emotion becomes.
- The love of money destroys other loves. The love of money causes many to sacrifice their true passions and desires just to acquire more of it. It has truly killed many a passionate dream. To determine if the love of money has killed your dreams, answer this question, “If the need for money were not a factor, what would I be doing today?”
How then do we move beyond the desire to acquire more? While entire books have been written on this subject, let me throw out a few thoughts just to get you started toward freedom from the desire to acquire:
1. See money only as a tool to move through life. At its core, money is a bartering tool. It saves us from making our own clothes, tools, and furniture. Because of currency, I can spend my days doing what I love and am good at. In exchange, I receive money to trade with someone else who uses their giftedness to create something different than me. That‘s it. That‘s its purpose. And if you have enough to meet your needs, you shouldn‘t commit the rest of your day to acquiring more.
2. Be content with poverty or great wealth. I know poor people who live in complete contentment and I know rich people who are further from contentment today than when they were lacking. Your possessions do not lead to contentment. Your heart attitude does. And if the love for money limits freedom, contentment is the pathway to it.
3. Avoid debt. A lender is a slave to his creditor. Spending more money than you earn will always result in bondage to another. And there is no simplicity in bondage. If you cannot get out from under the weight of debt, find some help.
4. Learn to share. Sharing your possessions with others benefits the borrower and the lender. So be a lender… and be a borrower.
5. Remember that money comes and money goes. Like the tides of the ocean, money rolls in and money rolls out. Sometimes, there is money left over at the end of the day and sometimes there is not enough. That is the very nature of money. Do not fear its cycles. Welcome them.
I have no hidden dreams of this post magically solving the world’s desire for more. I just hope it helps to balance mine…
SuzieQ says
“At its core, money is a bartering tool. It saves us from making our own clothes, tools, and furniture.”
Interesting ‘cos I actually use some of my money to buy material just so that I can make my own clothes! And I know there are people out there that make their own furniture.
I’d me just as inclined to add ‘food’ in your sentence since the majority of the US population do not grow their own.
joshua becker says
So true. And good for you for making your own clothes. I’d make my own, but I don’t think anybody wants to see that!
Michelle Traudt says
Great post, this is something we all need to be reminded of on a regular basis. Debt is so evil and keeps us from being able to give our money generously.
Pierre Bastien says
This is kind of out-there but I am starting to think money is a manifestation of energy. The more energy you release into the world, the more money you’ll end up with. Therefore if you focus on acquiring money, you are really just hoarding. Or playing defense, instead of playing offense. Or something. How did I work a tired sports cliché into this? Oh well, I’ll have to mull it over a bit.
joshua becker says
Interesting thought that kinda works for me. At the very least, those who learn to be generous (give it away) tend to appreciate more what they already possess and have less need to accumulate more.
Nicki Savantes says
“Money is an energy” totally resonates with me. And accumulating money therefore is just stagnant energy, waiting to be released. Didn’t the ancient Greeks already say it “panta rei” (everything flows)? Let the energy flow freely, let money move freely, let it be useful; do things with it. Don’t let the energey go stale…
Lisa Wain says
I totally get the “money is an energy” thing. Like food, water and sunlight, there really is an abundance of it, it’s just not used efficiently or intelligently and we waste so much of it!
mac says
“Remember that money comes and money goes” – great tip!
And there are many things, that you are not able to buy with money, love, friendship and to be satisfid.
You have to work on you, not pay for it to aim your biggest goals?
JobJenny says
I live in an affluent, consumerism-obsessed suburb of Portland. I feel like I’m this alien sometimes because I refuse to drink the “Must drive a Lexus SUV, wear Fendi sunglasses and carry a Louis Vuitton tote everywhere” Kool-aid.
Oddly, so many people I run into about town just don’t seem all that happy. Such a shocker, I know. Makes me love my alien status — I shop resale, I am full-on driven to eliminate ALL of my consumer debt, and I just sold my Tag Heuer on eBay then turned around and bought a $69 watch at Nordstrom Rack (which actually cost me $34 because I had a Groupon!)
Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this post!
Cheers,
Jenny Foss
joshua becker says
Thanks for the comment Jenny. But I find it odd that all those obsessed with consumerism aren’t truly happy… just kidding.
Alex says
If you have a cell phone you don’t need to buy a watch. I gave away all my watches and have not had a need for one since. One less thing to carry around.
Allan Douglas says
Excellent! I particularly like the point that debt is slavery to your creditor. So many just don’t get that.
Willow says
I think the first step to breaking the bondage of the love of money is to give some away, to become generous with the money you do have. At least that was the beginning for me.
joshua becker says
So true. Generosity absolutely opens the door to contentment.
Tiffany Wilson says
Whoever loves money will never have money enough….So very true! Nice little reminder on how the love of money is really the root of a lot of problems. I think you gave very sound advice and despite popular belief money does not buy happiness! :) Though it can help with some peace of mind :)
joshua becker says
Having it is certainly helpful… But loving it? Not so much.
Damon says
1 Timothy 6:10 says “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
I know many “minimalists” aren’t spiritual, but I don’t know how much more clear this bible passage can be.
Spot on article, Joshua, thank you.
joshua becker says
Thanks Damon. It really is a shame that most of Jesus’ (and Paul’s) teachings on possessions are so quickly passed over by American Christianity.
Andrei Jitareanu says
Jesus’ teachings were mostly centered on two major topics: Relashionship and Money.
Give it a think.
Marlene says
Every single excellent point you make about minimalism is emphasized in the bible by all kinds of marvelous scripture. Part of God’s amazing design for us is that he knows we’re all capable of being good stewards with our money especially if we learn about everything He teaches us about it in scripture. Any good priest or pastor knows the importance of teaching their fellowship about these key principles. Joyce Meyer is especially strong in teaching financial literacy to her world-wide fellowship. She has published great resources to help people manage their finances…and all of the money management information is presented in the context of God and scripture at its foundation.
patrea curry says
amen.
Eric says
This is something that needs to be repeated daily, because money, power and anger is what destroys our great society and the sooner people get wise to this the better!
Thanks for posting this Joshua!
Eric
joshua becker says
Greed is the fuel of injustice.