Much of my life has been spent in mental recovery from an abusive childhood. During those early years, success was defined as financial security and intellectual independence. I was determined to avoid the unpleasant economical circumstances of my upbringing.
Much has been written about the pitfalls of materialism and the general consensus of religion is that money cannot produce happiness. Many people like to point fingers and look down on the pursuit of a financially comfortable life, but in my opinion, this position is as subjective as any other issue. The Bible asserts that the love of money is the root of all evil, not that money itself is evil. Reasonable logic does not endorse a life of abject poverty. (White, 360)
Money is a tool and it is only as good as the user. Placed in the right hands and correct context, affluence can be a critical asset, enabling good works. Responsible financial security is in stark contrast to materialism. We are in no position to help others if we cannot first take care of ourselves and our own families. The noble pride of self-induced poverty is an irresponsible mind-set that serves no purpose, benefits no one and brings no glory to the name of God. (Fritz, 2012)
For decades I buried myself compulsively in work and aggressively pursued self help and psychological education in a desperate attempt to control my personal demons. During that time I neglected my family and relationships. It was not fueled by greed or materialism; it was more a struggle to survive. I did not know how to have a quality relationship because I had never experienced one. Through sheer perseverance, I learned to focus. As the demons from my childhood were slowly expelled, I emerged into an enlightened state of awareness.
Works Cited:
Colette Fritz, 2012
White, Thomas. Basic Issues in Philosophy. New York, NY: Long, 2008.