The confusion about money

There's a lot of confusion in our society about money and a person's worth or value. There's an attitude that the more money a person has, the more value they have intrinsically. Unfortunately, this attitude causes a lot of trouble on various levels.

We all have different talents and abilities. In this society, we value some talents and abilities more than we do others. For instance, for some reason I cannot understand, our culture values professional football players more than it does teachers of our children. We show that by paying football players an insane amount of money for what they do. Teachers generally make only an average wage.

What happens is people start to believe that the amount of money one earns or has equals that person's value as a human being. The truth is we are all equal as human beings. The family into which we're born, our various life experiences, innate talents, education, and motivations determine how much money we earn through our work. The mistake comes when we say someone is worth more as a human being because he or she makes or has more money than someone else.

This underlies a lot of today's problems. It is seen that some people should have more rights, more services, more good things than others. Some of those who have a lot look down on those who don't have much. Those who currently have need to remember how quickly it can all be lost. And those who have a lot need to remember they will be held accountable for how they use what they have.

I admire and respect people who have used their talents and abilities to make a lot of money. I also respect and admire people who live their lives in integrity giving of their talents and abilities, but don't make a lot of money. Everyone has value no matter how much or how little money they have or make.

Everyone deserves the same respect and opportunities no matter how much or how little money they have or earn. Capitalism is great but without compassion it doesn't work. Our leaders would do well to understand this sooner rather than later.