October 15, 2009

The Trouble With Money

You know when they refute it is not money that is the root of all evil, but the LOVE of money is? I believe both are statements are true. Sure you can love money too much to the point of destruction. But money on its own, the subject matter of it, can bring about catastrophic consequences. No, I don't mean literally mean we can start wars because of money alone (or can we?), but let's look at it in a micro level, shall we?

When money comes between two people, whether it's your partner, a family member, a friend, things are sure to go nasty if things are to go awry. It doesn't mean I love money so much that I must have all of it, hence breaking all ties if the need arises. I meant that money alone, even if it was just a few dollars, can make or break relationships.

I rememebered getting angry at a very dear friend of mine over money. I was frazzled with wedding preparations, and so was she. Our stress levels were so high that I finally snapped at her over something which shouldn't have even come up. She apologised, gave her reasons and all was good again. In hindsight, I was so relieved that things did not turn out ugly for us, and that she still remained a very close mate. If she had turned nasty and I hit back (you know how it goes), goodness knows what would result. All over money.

Sometimes I wonder if it's better to lose some money than to lose a friend. I don't mean heaps of money (that's another story), but perhaps a couple of hundred dollars. Sure there's that thing called principles. It's not the money, it's my principles that count. I was right. He/she was wrong. So there. A relationship that takes years to build and nurture can be destructed in just a day.

Is it worth it? Couldn't we just say "Okay let's put this behind us. It's just money. It's not worth jeopardising a friendship"?

If only the words could so easily come.

3 comments:

zewt said...

of cos you can say that... when you have tonnes of it in your bank account.

Gallivanter said...

Money is the root of all evil. Reminds me of that saying, money isn't everything but everything is money. :-)

Tine said...

Zewt: No I did not say that. Do I want to lose a good friendship over a few bucks? No. That's just me. If I do need that money (let's say it has come to hundreds even thousands of dollars) to tide me over, then there has got to be a compromise somewhere. If in the end the other person wouldn't see reason, or wouldn't understand that the money really is needed, then perhaps it's time to evaluate that relationship.

One thing's for sure. I never compromise my relationship with my family. Not for all the money in the world.

Gallivanter: Indeed it is. Root of all evil, and that it is, unfortunately, everything.