Crazy for Money - or Money Mad
Dear forum friends,
I saw the article about the bus. Then I read the replies. Someone made the statement: ?In China now many people are crazy for money. To get money by any means!
?I can relate to this. This would accurately describe me at 21 and up to 25 when I had escaped the war and then immigrated to Canada. I was <Crazy for money&
gt and <Money Mad>, Both terms can be used interchangeably. This because crazy and mad can have the same meaning. But mad also means angry. I would often say to people:?I am Money mad! I have no money, and this makes me mad!?It always
earned me some laughs. But there was a truth behind this. Like many others workers I was always only one paycheque away from disaster. By this I mean, loss of
job would entail hardship because how should one pay rent or food, never mind other bills. I remember being behind in car payments when just married and having
a simple supper of potatoes and some white cheese. A bill collector came to the
door and when I had no money for him shouted sarcastically: 揥ell, you are still
eating, aren抰 you!?That hurt. But enough of that. I am showing you, why I have empathy for those, who wish to obtain money by any means. This drive can be used for good, by working hard, saving a little money and so forth. Or it can lead
you on a crooked path, that leads to criminality and shame. Basically people who seek for money strongly are trying to escape poverty. This is good. My own father-in-law worked very hard. Later he became an entrepreneur and with partners built a factory employing at the time about 80 people. I know he helped others anonymously. He told me several times, his aim was to make the family free. Free from the burden of poverty. I will say he succeeded. We enjoy a very good house thanks to his help.
Although he did not go to Church, he was a spiritual man. Spirituality does not
conflict with the aim to get money. For myself. At one time. I would have bartered my soul for money. I did not understand things like soul or afterlife. I will
always be indebted to the man, who showed me the way to better understanding. Money without spirituality will not give you satisfaction. There is always one million more to be desired. Look at the Billionaires today. They have far more than they can ever use or need, but still not satisfied. No it is by far better to
temper desire for money with spirituality. And best of all, true spirituality comes free. The teachers of God came for this purpose alone. To free us from materialism.
My wish for the people of China is, that they may prosper, become free of economic hardship and enjoy happiness. Episodes like the bus and the Old man will the
become unheard of.
Uncle Ben
