Money has many names that people in many cultures use to refer to it. Examples of such names are dosh, bread, and readies, among others. From a historical point of view, money was associated with many issues. For example, Christians assert that people who love money could be headed to the devil.
The notion originated from the Bible because the person who made Jesus suffer on the cross was enticed by the love of money to forsake Jesus. Also, generals in wars and revolutionaries have been calling money the shackles of labor. Therefore, it can be deduced that money has a long history on the earth (Ferguson 2). The historical views with regard to money will continue in the future because generations are taught about how money was used.
The importance of money cannot be overstated. Almost everything is being said with reference to money. For example, it was estimated that the average American’s income improved by about 5% in 2007.
Also, the cost of living increased by about 4.1% (Ferguson 2). Therefore, it could be concluded that the earning of the average American improved by an exact figure of 0.9 percent. Also, in 2007, Goldman’s net profit was more than what more than 100 countries across the world used as their GDP. Such countries were Serbia, Slovenia, and Tunisia, among others (Ferguson 2).
The gap between the rich and the poor has been widening over the years. The rich have been branded fat-cat capitalists who cannot give the poor a chance to become rich. Instead, the rich use the poor to get richer. Lenders have been accused of being parasitic. Three reasons could be utilized to explain the parasitical phenomenon. First, the number of debtors has always been higher than that of creditors. Second, financial crises make money seem to be the cause of poverty.
Thus, the poor are always trying to run away from poverty conditions by amassing money. Third, for many centuries, financial lending services were offered by the minority who did not have vast amounts of land or good jobs. However, they accumulated their finances from the tight-knit networks they enjoyed on the basis of kinship and trust (Ferguson 4).
Despite the bad image associated with money, it appears that finances are the roots of progress of people across the world (Mittelman 158). People have been using various approaches in order to obtain money, which could make them progress in life. For example, it has been reported that savings of widows were used in gambling (Ferguson 6).
The intention of gambling with such money was to multiply it and make widows sustain their lives. Therefore, financial innovation has been a critical attribute toward the progress of the mankind (Mittelman 160).
It is argued that all historical phenomena were associated with money. A very good example to illustrate the above statement is the French monarchy. The problems that affected the French monarchy were difficult to solve because the French financial system was disrupted by a Scots murderer. The disruption caused the first stock market bubble and bust (Ferguson 7).
A significant number of people living in safest countries across the world are insured. One cannot stop to wonder why are insured yet their countries are safe for human existence. However, the observation further illustrates the influence of money. The poor are struggling financially while the rich are perfecting the actions of mastering the universe (Ferguson 10; Campbell 1089).
In a world that is characterized by too many phenomena with regard to the use of money, it is important to understand the origin of money and why it is important in human lives (Campbell 1090).. In fact, an individual cannot survive without money in the modern world because everything is bought using money.
How my thoughts have evolved
An understanding of money has made me evolve my thinking with regard to money. I have learned that finances are everything in life. In fact, if a person aspires to live a quality life, then he or she could require adequate money. Money translates to excellent schooling for children, colorful weddings, expensive cars, magnificent houses, and quality clothing, among others.
My thinking has changed to the extent of accepting the notion that the only thing that money cannot purchase is life. Money can be used to attain quality healthcare that prolongs a person’s life on the earth. However, it cannot be used to renew body organs that disintegrate to culminate in death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, money has been used for many centuries to make the mankind progress. The prosperity of human beings and countries across the world is on the premises of their financial abilities. In order for people to live comfortable lives, they need to acquire good cash. Good finances could imply an improved quality of healthcare, clothing, and housing, among others. There are many ways of acquiring money. People have to make choices about approaches to progress in life through the use of money.
Works Cited
Campbell, Gregor. “Microfinancing the Developing World: how small loans empower local economies and catalyse neoliberalism’s endgame.” Third World Quarterly 31.7 (2010): 1081-1090. Print.
Ferguson, Niall. The ascent of money: A financial history of the world. London, United Kingdom: Penguin, 2008. Print.
Mittelman, James H. “Crisis and global governance: money, discourses, and institutions.” Globalizations 7.1-2 (2010): 157-172. Print.