Why money?

Some people are upset that others have an interest in making and having money. They seem to think that money, or wanting to make money, is bad. They point to the recent scandals and our current challenges in the economy as proof that people who want to make money cause problems for everyone.

My version of the truth of all this is that most of these have been caused by employees of large public corporations not business owners and entrepreneurs. Properly done, a business transaction benefits both parties. The seller provides a service or product in exchange for money. The buyers want that service or product more than they want the money that it cost. Buyers willingly turn over their money, no one is forcing them to purchase.

The root of deserve is ‘de serve’ or ‘from service’. If the seller does not deserve the money and the buyer does not value that more than they value their money, they don’t buy.

On a more basic, personal level, what does money get us? It provides food, housing, medical care, education for our children, support for charities, vacations, and other pleasures. When we spend the money we earn, that provides jobs for people and a return on the investment of businesses.

I remember reading several years ago that each millionaire creates 100 jobs. These are jobs for people who work for them directly and jobs for those who provide the services and products that they use.

One of my favorite quotes, though I’m paraphrasing, is from Benjamin Franklin who said “You can not help the poor by joining them”