The Almighty and the almighty dollar

Money is probably the one area in our lives that we never think of as being spiritual. If anything, we might perceive money as being the root of all evil. Furthermore, we may reason that having significant cash flow will send us down the slippery slope of materialism. Surprisingly enough, however, money can serve as one of the most spiritual resources we have.

Poverty and wealth are both tests from God. Poor people are tested to maintain their sense of ethics and commitment to the Torah despite the gift of economic challenge. Wealthy people are tested to make sure they don't forget that their financial abundance is a gift from God, and with wealth comes the responsibility to use it for the greater good.

While we are obligated to work to make a living, we should never think that we are the architects of our success. Without divine assistance and blessing, our efforts are futile.

How does one tap into this blessing? Let's explore the following attitudes and behaviors for some possible answers.

* Prayer — An old adage says that you should be careful about what you pray for, because you just might get it. The flip side is that you won't get something if you don't ask for it. Many of us don't pray for money, because we think it's inappropriate to ask for material things. Give yourself permission to ask for financial abundance, and focus on the spiritual side of wealth, such as donating your time and money to the less fortunate.

* Attitude — If you use terms like "filthy rich" and believe deep down that wealthy individuals became affluent through cheating and deception, then you probably won't join their ranks. We never become what we despise. Try developing a more healthy and balanced view regarding wealthy people and their financial resources.

* Self-fulfilling prophecy — Many of us already have resigned ourselves to never being wealthy. So why should our unconscious mind come up with new and ethical ways of generating income if we have already closed off that likelihood? Entertain the possibility that you can draw wealth into your life, and your financial situation just might improve.

Money is a tool and, in and of itself, is neither good nor bad. What matters is our attitude toward money and what we do with it. In a similar vein, a car is neither good nor bad. What matters is how we use it.

When we realize that all of our tests, economic or otherwise, are choreographed by God, we will find them easier to pass. God gives us only tests that we can pass, and He provides us the internal strength and fortitude we need to rise to these challenges. Our economic status is just another way that God communicates with us and draws us into a relationship with Him.

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Ben Goldfarb was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, and is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He moved to Jerusalem in 1988, where he lives with his wife and children and divides his time between his yeshiva studies and his coaching practice. His life calling is to help others understand their personal mission and accomplish it with humor, creativity, and spirituality. Visit his Paradigm Shift Communications website and send an email to ben@pdshiftcoaching.com. © copyright 2006 by Ben Goldfarb