Attitude towards money is the feeling that everyone has about money. It is not about the numbers or the amount but the emotional feeling about it. It is universally accepted that money changes everything, and our attitude towards money is the key concept in individual transformation as well as global transformation. Money can only be seen in two different perspectives, positive or negative. Money determines our emotions, the psychological entity in our lives.
The two sides of money are, one either has it or does not have it. The amount of money that one has, however, influences one’s life in all aspects of life; the physical, emotional, or psychological status of a person’s life relies on money.
The attitude towards money can be influenced by a person’s perception of it or their experience with money. According to Kate Levinson, Ph.D., a psychotherapist, “feelings towards money are a catalyst for personal transformation.”
The negative attitude towards money is developed when people use money in the wrong way, especially by hurting others either directly or indirectly. This happens when people believe so much in money and forget about their inner feelings of a human being, the social being. It is normal the believe in money, but people should remember that there are other things that money cannot buy spiritual and emotional contentment.
Using money maliciously is a negative attitude towards money. (Boomgaard, 2002) The over-dependence on money to satisfy one’s emotional needs is a negative perspective of money. For example, in relationships, women might be materialistic; they expect their spouse, the men, to take over all the responsibility. The use of material gifts to show affection, in fact, destroys the true emotions of love. At times children at a tender age may be influenced by their parents through gifts to show their affection; this is a negative attitude. Money used for corruption, getting things done through a shortcut is a way of a negative attitude towards money.
The positive attitude of money is rarely practiced by people. The failure to use the money for the positive transformation of the world is very satisfactory. People who use money in the right way consequently have their other needs met indirectly, that is, their emotional and spiritual needs. The use of money to help improve one’s lifestyle without repressing other people’s feelings is a way of perceiving money in the right manner. Money should not influence our love life, relationships, family coherence, or our spiritual lives; it should improve the well-being of humanity and our own personality.
Money obtained through illegal means tend to portray our negative attitude towards money. The love for money is highly criticized in the bible as it is the root of all the evils. 1 Timothy 6: 10 says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, Some people, eager for money, have wandered the d from faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” This statement shows how a negative attitude is disturbing even emotionally. (MacDonald, 1999)
Work Cited Sources
Boomgaard, P. Illicit Riches; Economic Development and Changing Attitude Towards Money, Jakarta: Mogahhin publishers, 2002.
MacDonald, T. Believer and squalors Bible Commentary, New Testament volume I, California: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999.