Doubts persist about the money and the success of the portholes, you will always be in Broke

All too many people have a lingering doubt about money that goes something like this: Money is a determent to spirituality.

Granted, this sentiment is more widespread among the general population than it is among those of us interested in making money. I say this because if one consciously felt this way, he or she would never pursue a fortune.

However, it is still there to some degree especially on an unconscious level. And to whatever degree we entertain this thought, it clouds our certainty about the “rightness” of our money-making enterprise.

It causes us to hold back either a little bit or a whole lot. This means that we watch while others spot opportunity and take bold and decisive action. And they likely make a pile of money while we make little if any.

Most often, this belief is rooted in early church-going experience and was reinforced by parents or primary caregivers.

And I guess it is understandable. A child hears a tale of unethical or even criminal activity that leads to monetary success.

The storyteller delivers the tale with a strong sense of disapproval, moralistic overtones, and the promise of divine retribution (made directly or implied). One can understand how the child (or even an adult) generalizes this tale into the belief that everyone who acquires riches does so in a similar manner. So it is not a big leap to say “Money corrupts” or “All rich people are like that.”

In an effort to instill values in children, one has enough of a task to get the main message across about the importance of sharing, not taking advantage of others, and treating people according to the “golden rule.” It is not until later in life that the golden rule takes the less lofty form “He who has the gold makes the rules.” And this is not to be confused with “Do unto others before they do unto you.”

However, suppose you had never heard anything about how money could possibly compromise spirituality. What difference might that have made in how you see success and money today?

I noticed a comment on a blog the other day having to do with money-making programs. The discussion was about a seminar that reprograms your mind about money. A woman posted that she understood why this is necessary.

However, she writes, “I am Chinese, so I do not have Western/Christian hang-ups about money.” I thought, “Really? That must be quite an advantage.”

If this is an issue for you, here is a fast way to dispel it. Suppose you never heard of such a thing. Suppose that the thought of money as a spiritual detriment startles you and makes you say “Really? Who would believe such a thing and why would someone believe it?”

So here is the difference this point of view might make. It might relieve you from guilt about doing well, wanting more, and enjoying it. It might dissipate a stumbling block about adverse consequences about being rich. And it might put to rest doubts and fears about the social consequences of being rich.

In fact, it might be like unclogging an engine so that it can function with maximum power. And you might get rich without negative feelings that weigh you down (real or imagined).

As a former minister, I can tell you this. You can be spiritual minded and be either broke or rich. And you can be something less than spiritual-minded and be either broke or rich.

The main difference is how much you can put in the offering plate on Sunday morning! And when you need a Denver Plumber or a roofer before next Sunday, that is quite a difference.