Dialogue With God On Money - God's work is beyond money

Written by Jennifer

[Why not?]

Because the value of this work goes beyond money. Money is so superficial. God's work is beyond money. The two don't compute. They're almost a contradiction. One has nothing to do with the other.

[Do you believe that?]

Absolutely.

[Why do you believe that?]

It's hard for me to put into words. There are so many negative connotations with money. Spiritual work is nothing but good stuff.

[What negative connotations do you associate with money?]

I don't know if I can be specific. It's a general feeling that money is somehow bad. I've watched so many TV shows and news programs where people have hurt others all because of money. People lie, steal, cheat and even kill for it. But then, they've done the same thing for their religion and their God. I don't know, I'm getting confused.

[What are you confused about?]

I'm confused on how money is bad. I mean, it's just a piece of paper we assign value to. It has no inherent worth other than what we give it. Hand a hundred dollar bill to some aborigine and he'll probably use it for kindling. It doesn't hold the same meaning to him. Money is just a convenient way of trading value for value. It's considerably easier than the barter system where we were carrying chickens and pigs around with us. So if it's just paper, why all the negative connotations?

[What negative connotations?]

That people who have a lot of it are bad. Most of the rich people in movies are portrayed as evil, heartless, greedy, shallow, and uncaring people. It kinda perpetuates the idea that being poor is somehow more godly. I think we assume the rich must have done something dishonest to get that much money.

[Do you believe people who have a lot of money must have done something dishonest to acquire it?]

I'm embarrassed to say, but I think I do.

[Why do you believe that?]

Because so many people who want money don't have it. The rich people MUST be doing something different. Although, I don't know why I assume that particular "something" is dishonesty. You know what? It doesn't mean that. Now that I think about it, many of the wealthy people I know didn't get that way being dishonest or from taking advantage of people. There's a whole list of things they do differently, but dishonesty is not necessarily one of them.

[What are some of the things they do differently?]

Well, to start with they are comfortable making a lot of money. They don't even see it as a lot of money! It's all relative. For another, they are passionate and persistent in what they do. Most of the one's I know seem to like what they do, which makes sense since we tend to do what we love to do. And because we love to do it, we do it more often and consequently get better at it. Which makes us love it all the more. It's a perpetual circle.

It seems like there are as many motives and factors involved as there are people. Some get rich by dishonest means. Some don't. I guess I was generalizing. You know, I could be one of those "good" rich people. I can be a nice, giving, caring, and loving rich person!

[How does that feel?]

It feels great, but it's not going to feel great to everyone. There are still going to be people that view me in a negative light. They're still going to question my motives, think my values are screwed up, and think I shouldn't charge for my work. I wish this wasn't the case. I have to accept this though cause I can't change their minds.

[What do you mean?]

Well, if they're like me, the judgments they make about people with money have nothing to do with that person specifically. It has more to do with their own beliefs about money in general. I can't go into someone's head and rewire their beliefs. All I can do is be true to myself, practice honesty, and do what I think is best. If people make up stories about me, well, then they do! What can you do?

[What can you do?]

Be really, really, REALLY clear with myself about my motives. If I know who I am, maybe people saying bad stuff about me won't bother me. At least that's been my experience with other matters. When I feel secure in who I am, I don't take negative comments personally.

You have helped me so much. I hope you know how much I appreciate you being in my life. I just love the stuffin' out of you.

[And I love the stuffin' right out of you. Works well, doesn't it.]

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