5 Things to Show That Money Is Not Evil
By Mirela Sula
We went for a long walk in the countryside this weekend with my partner, but I am not going to talk about nature in this article. On the way, we met three young people; they were very friendly, took a few photos for us, and we started talking.
I asked them, “What new things have you learned this year?”
One of them went silent.
The other one said, “Languages. I love learning new languages.”
And the third one said, “I am learning IT and really loving it.”
The IT conversation caught my attention because in the last 6 months, I have interviewed almost 100 people in IT as I wanted to scale my members’ app, but it has been one of the toughest jobs in my business.
I said, “That’s amazing. Do you know that if you become good at it, you can make a lot of money?”
He said, “Oh, I don’t like money, to be honest. I am not learning it for the money.”
I was surprised to hear this from a 17-year-old boy.
I said, “What? Why don’t you like money? What’s wrong with it?”
“Money can be corrupt,” said the other girl who was with him.
“What?” I said. “Hold on! Who told you that? So you are saying that none of you like money?”
They said, “Nope! Money is bad.”
“But what do you like then? What do you want to become when you grow up?”
The girl said, “I want to open a charity and help children who can’t access education.”
“Yes, I would like to build a school in poor countries,” the other boy said.
Honestly, I had to start a “pull and push” conversation with them, but in the end, I realized I didn’t win. They not only didn’t want to listen to me, but I think they judged me for being “very money-oriented.”
Here is what I said—and I am going to summarize because the words are limited to post here.
These young people reminded me of the time I was younger and thought exactly like them. I had a dream to help the poor but didn’t know how poor I was myself. It took me a few decades of studying and taking a self-development journey to realize that being poor doesn’t help the poor.
I used to think that way until I found myself embarrassed and sad not being able to buy food for my son, to pay for my education, to buy a book, to buy a bus ticket to the school.
“How can you build these schools for the poor if you don’t have the money? If you have worked hard to build skills that are valuable, then that is worth money. You can take this money and invest it in things you want. I wish I had someone to teach me this when I was your age. There is nothing wrong with having the ability to earn money. If you do that with hard work and dignity, that’s a contribution. Isn’t it amazing that you earn the money to build that school and help poor children access education? Now, how do you think you would be able to access education if your parents didn’t have the money?” (These kids were going to private schools, by the way). They left, and I don’t think they liked what I said. But they made me think about the belief many people have about money, which they associate with bad things. I asked my partner, “I understand I come from a poor country, but these kids seem to come from established families. Cultural narratives—sometimes associating wealth with greed or corruption—can deeply influence people, shaping their perspectives from an early age. Moreover, the comparison between the rich and the poor in society can contribute to a sense of injustice, fostering resentment and a negative view of money. Some individuals fear that financial success will compromise their values or alter their identity negatively, but that should not be the case.
Henry Ford used to say, ‘Money doesn’t change people; it merely unmasks them. If someone is naturally selfish, arrogant, or greedy, the money brings that out; that’s all.’
Ethical concerns arise when there is a perception that success requires compromising one’s principles. That’s why we see more people suffering and going through hardships.
I have met hundreds of women going through a divorce, and when I sit down to talk with them, the main reason was MONEY. I have met hundreds of women who have been abused, and when I sit to talk with them, why were they not able to leave? The reason was MONEY. I have met hundreds of women who had a dream and they gave up—and guess what the reason was: MONEY. I have met hundreds of women who let their children migrate, often putting their lives in danger, and the only reason was: MONEY. I can carry on with many more examples.
We need to empower people financially, which means they can LEARN—EARN—AND RETURN! We need to increase the earning ability and invest back for good and build better things in a world with abundance, where money is not evil but a powerful tool to grow, invest, and contribute to better years to come. I think discouraging and deactivating the ability to earn is dangerous. Everyone should learn how to earn with work, ethics, and a desire to give back.
Here are five uplifting perspectives on why money is not evil:
It Supports Your Dreams:
Catalyst for Change:
Freedom and Possibilities:
Reward for Hustle:
Lifts Others Up:
Remember, money is a tool you wield. How you use it determines its impact. Embrace the opportunities, dream big, and let your financial journey be a story of empowerment and positive change. You’re not chasing money; you’re chasing the incredible possibilities it brings to your life and the lives of those around you.
