Many of the books I have been reading on the subject of money and finances have shown me that I am the creator of my debt, and, therefore, I am also the creator of getting out of that debt. For me to climb out of debt requires that I focus on making money. I have learned that by focusing on my debt the past few years has actually led me into even more debt. Thus my dilemma. If I cannot serve God and mammon (many definitions of mammon say that it means money) then how do I get out of debt if I want to serve God? I know some who read this already have the answer, and I feel that I have found the answer too. Here it is:
Mammon has reference to Idolatry, which is the worship of idols. It also has reference to covetousness, which is the desire for someone else's property. I think that all would agree that a thief is covetous. To covet something is to want it without earning it and without a desire to use it for good. To covet has reference to a state of being greedy. This is what the dictionary on my Mac spit out about greedy:
greedy |ˈgrēdē|
adjective ( greedier , greediest ) having or showing an intense and selfish desire for something, esp. wealth or power : greedy thieves who plundered a defense contractor.
• having an excessive desire or appetite for food.
DERIVATIVES
greedily |-dəlē| |ˈgrid1li| adverb
greediness |ˈgridin1s| noun
ORIGIN Old English grǣdig, of Germanic origin.
The desire for money and the things it can buy is often associated with Americans. But not all Americans are greedy, which implies an insatiable desire to possess or acquire something, beyond what one needs or deserves (: greedy for profits). Greedy is especially derogatory when the object of longing is itself evil or when it cannot be possessed without harm to oneself or others (: a reporter greedy for information).
Someone who is greedy for food might be called gluttonous, which emphasizes consumption as well as desire (: a gluttonous appetite for sweets).
A greedy child may grow up to be an avaricious adult, which implies a fanatical greediness for money or other valuables.
Rapacious is an even stronger term, with an emphasis on taking things by force (: so rapacious in his desire for land that he forced dozens of families from their homes).
Acquisitive, on the other hand, is a more neutral word suggesting a willingness to exert effort in acquiring things (: an acquisitive woman who filled her house with antiques and artwork), and not necessarily material things (: a probing, acquisitive mind).
Covetous, in contrast to acquisitive, implies an intense desire for something as opposed to the act of acquiring or possessing it. It is often associated with the Ten Commandments (: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife) and suggests a longing for something that rightfully belongs to another.
Jacob (2:18-19), in the Book of Mormon, teaches:
"But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God."
"And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted."
I like how Jacob teaches me that "riches" or money, is simply a tool. It can be used for good or evil purposes. I can see how a person who serves mammon cannot use money for good purposes, because all good comes from God.
Because I am human, I know that I need to avoid greed and covetousness by keeping my eye on Christ.
I know that I can serve God and pay off my debts, and make money with intention to use it for His purposes, and not my own. In fact, I have come to realize that because I have the capacity and ability to make money, I have an obligation to do so. Not only because I need to pay off my debtors, but because I have an an obligation to help and serve others with it as well.
Just to add a note about service. I once heard a business owner say that his time was his money and justified not giving of his time if he gave his money. I completely disagree with this. There is no greater gift you can give than your time. Time is life. If you give your time, you give a part of your life. Benjamin Franklin said, "We give our lives to that which we give our time." I am keenly aware of my obligation to give of my time regardless of how much money I give and strive to live the admonition given in the Doctrine & Covenants in section 58 verse 27 that reads:
"Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;"
How can I give of my time in a good cause if I do not have the money to do so? How can I give of my time if I have to work to pay off debt?
I have an outrageous goal to be completely debt free by December 30, 2013.
I welcome comments.
