The root of all good

Like most of America, money has been on my mind a lot lately. Ironically, the less of it you have, the more it seems to weigh. When I watch the news, read print headlines or virtually talk to anyone who has a strong opinion about financial bailouts, this thought keeps running through my head:

Money is the root of all evil.

Although the origin has been debated, this phrase was most likely first spoken in the Bible. And has been miss quoted for a couple thousand years. Jesus actually said, “The love of money is the root of all evil.”

Which means we’re even more screwed.

The difference here is more than semantics. The word love makes it emotional. And it puts the responsibility where it belongs: the human, not the dollar. After all, money is a mere object that people made almighty.

We’ve given it power. We’ve given it life.

Last year, we even gave it a facelift. Only kidding. Here is the real redesign – just in case you went to your wallet to see for yourself – and found it empty.

So if the love of money is the root of all evil, what’s the root of all good? Is there a currency for that? Can you save a few small allowances of wonder and purchase an order of joy? And maybe a side of smiles? (I’m going to stop this analogy now before I call it a Happy Meal and risk trademark infringement. And my dignity.)

But, I really do wonder what’s at the root of all good.

And if the love of love became its own payment system, would the government also need to help us regulate that? (Insert your own commentary on Prop 8 here.) Would the greedy among us hoard love? And then lie about it? Would the commoners have to lock what love they have up at night?

I don’t think so. I think if love had as much tangible power as money, there would be fewer padlocks. Less financial-related depression. And more sustenance – regardless of what’s for dinner. There would be more of an inclination for sharing – if for no other reason than the fact that you’d really have nothing to lose. Only a lot to gain in the form of reciprocity.

For the record, I realize affection can’t clothe and feed you. And you can’t drive happiness to work. Or use goodness to pay for your children’s education. But, nowadays, most people can’t pay for school with money, either.

So I think we should try it.

Let’s live as if love is the root of all good. Let’s use it to help build a nation rich in respect, honor and understanding for each other. Let’s remember love is patient. Love is kind. Love is kinda like weed. Except legal in all fifty states.

Let’s make sure we have plenty of love to hand down to future generations. And learn to manage it with wisdom. But most importantly, when we have some love in the bank, let’s share it with others.

And see some real returns on our investments.