Money is Filthy and Dirty!

[money blogger]

I have an aunt who used to be a teller at a bank. So in the literal sense, money is disgustingly dirty. She recalls having to wash her hands every chance she got because of how dirty they'd get from handling money.

However, I ask the questing theoretically. I'm asking you all to be philosophers for a moment and think about what is behind the common thinking that money is filthy and dirty. You know, the 'Money is the root of all evil' kind of thinking.

I want to know why you think people think this way about money, and your thoughts about this statement... "Money is Filthy and Dirty"

Thanks

[trustno1]

From the germaphobic perpective...

Money is physically dirty. It is made of cotton, not paper...to make it more durable to rigors of being constantly handled. Although it is designed for "abuse", it does absorb the oils from humans and a myriad of other contaminants (in the case of $20 bills...cocaine!). Next time you stash that change and contemplate eating that burger you just purchased, imagine licking the bottom of your shoe first (if you do not wash your hands first). lol

Theoretically speaking, money is "filthy/dirty" because it is associated with "evil" deeds that can be recalled by the public. (If the dollars involved a large amount, and the event was corruption or unlawful... it generally makes the news). Bad news is always more interesting to report than good news...

Generally speaking, many people feel that "money" (in large quantities), ultimately leads to some reckless use of it, because most feel that it is human nature to abuse the power that accompanies "wealth"

My personal theory is that it is no coincidence that the people you hear supporting this viewpoint are often those who do not have "money"...lol It is a psychological compensation (used by those unwilling or unable to find the motivation to acquire it) to justify their position of not having any.

You rarely encounter wealthy people making claims that "money is evil". lol

These are usually the same folks who claim "You don't need money to be happy".

In my world, I happen to be happy when I have money. Because when I can buy food and pay my bills, I just feel happier...lol

but that is just me...lol

[gt0163c]

Money being physically dirty - yeah. No surprise there. But so are so many other things in this world. Most of the germs won't hurt most people, so it's not a huge deal.

Money being "filthy and dirty" more in a philosophical way:
The quote "Money is the root of all evil" is actually incorrect. The quote is from the Bible, specifically 1 Timothy 6:10 and says:
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils." from English Standard Version or with a singular "evil" from the New International Version.

So, this quote is saying that it's not money itself but the love of money (greed in one sense) is one root of many kinds of evils. So, yeah, money can cause problems, but it's not the money itself but rather the love of that money above other (more important) things. And money (or even the love of it) is not the cause of all evils but one cause of some evil/bad things.

From this, we can see that the idea that money related issues have the possibility of causing all sorts of problems dates back at least 2000 years. It's not a new idea.

I think that often times having money is viewed as (rightly so or not) synonymous with having power. And it's easier for people in power, especially when that power is over other people, to be able to negatively effect other people.

[codeyeti]

Money isn't good or bad - it's the people who control it that make it that way. Money can be used for good - Just look at Kiva. Money can be misued too, of course, but it all comes down to who's using it and why.

[kenyantykoon]

money is not filthy and dirty, the people that have it are the filthy ones that use the power that money affords them to propagate evil. Money is a power that id well channeled can be a prerequisite to all manner of good. something that i have never understood though, is the corruption that money tends to have in its owners

[starshard0]

I've always kind of wanted to get so much money that I can take out a bunch of cash and sleep on it, like a dragon. Do you think that's filthy/dirty?

[Dr Dean]

I agree with codeyeti, the money holder has the power to do good things or evil things with their money.

Another problem, is apathy, in that people don't know how to manage whatever money comes their way-that is my passion, trying to help nurses learn about their personal finances.

[Socal104]

Money definitely isn't the root of evil. People are and the pursuit of money above all else leads people to naturally do things that are considered evil. If money is the penultimate goal, its not surprising that people will do things that are morally reprehensible in order to obtain wealth.

There is a good post over on GetRichSlowly that talks about whether people who are wealthy are dishonest. Not necessarily the case. People who pursue money aren't necessarily evil but when it comes above everything else, bad things usually happen.

[FinanciallySMART]

The bible says "The LOVE Of Money Is The Root Of All Evil". Money is not filthy nor is it dirty. Money is essential for us to survive without it we cannot live. The matter with money is that we don't respect it and until we do then we will have a better relationship with it. The persons who love money without measure will uses it to wield power over the unfortunate. We need to respect money but not love it. With some persons money is power and so they abuse it.

[money blogger]

Originally Posted by FinanciallySMART

The bible says "The LOVE Of Money Is The Root Of All Evil". Money is not filthy nor is it dirty. Money is essential for us to survive without it we cannot live. The matter with money is that we don't respect it and until we do then we will have a better relationship with it. The persons who love money without measure will uses it to wield power over the unfortunate. We need to respect money but not love it. With some persons money is power and so they abuse it.

You, or the bible rather, make a good point. That phrase is misused way too often.
I agree with many of the other comments as well. If someone has good intentions, and then acquires wealth, they will use that money for good purposes. Sadly though, we most often hear only of the negatives ways wealth has been used to hurt people or oppress the less fortunate with the power that wealth brings.

All we can hope for is faith that light will always shine on the truth.

Wishing you all the best of blessings,

Cheers