"Money is the Root of All Evil"

Long before money came into use, people traded through the barter system. A person exchanged the goods he produced for the products of another person. Money first started being used in the Greco-Roman era. Since then, money became an important factor in trade. People no longer used the barter system and believed they were happier by fixing prices for their goods. However, the proverb ËœRadix Malorum Est Cupiditas' is also true. Money has always been considered as being evil and whoever has gone for money has found nothing except frustration and sadness.

Nowadays, no matter whom we ask, everyone believes that money is very important in life. Yes, money is important but not up till the point to which it enslaves man. Just take a look at the rich. Are they happy with so much money they have? They are always wanting more and more money and they can go to any extent to fulfill their wants.

When a person craves for more and more money, he does not see anything else apart from having the world under his feet. But this fact is nothing except an illusion. In the quest of money, many people neglect their family. Suppose the head of a family is a business tycoon. Everyday, he only counts and collects huge amounts of it. Yet, in his greed, he goes for gambling. When he loses all his money (What a bad luck!!), he gets very frustrated and takes recourse to drinking. Reaching home, can he now look after his family?? Will the children get the love from a drunk father? People crave so much for money that nothing beyond that seems to matter to them. Of course, the above is a mere example. There should certainly be some exceptions out there.

Money leads not only to gambling but also to fraud cases and crimes such as theft, bullying and even murder. Wherever there is money, fraud cases are bound to happen except if there are honest persons managing the money. A fraud case linked with money was the MCB/MPF fraud affair in Mauritius where millions of rupees were said to be stolen by one of the bank employees. In a way, it also affects the reputation of the person linked with the fraud case. The other serious crime related to money is murder. Not quite long back, during a cyclone, the body of a 73-year old woman was found at her house and it is most probable that a theft was the cause of her death. In other words, money is the root of the problem.

On the other hand, money provides a person with all the comforts of life. A person having money has all the luxury. A person's wants are usually more than his needs and one having money can have both his needs and wants satisfied. It is also believed that a student coming from a rich family performs better in education than one from a poor family. This fact is obviously because the former has all facilities for his better education. A rich person travels in an air-conditioned Mercedes car whereas a poor man has to satisfy himself with his bicycle.

Money is also important for good health. Operations are only carried out when a certain amount of money is deposited at the hospital. What about a poor innocent child who needs to undergo emergency treatment but his parents are not able to arrange for the money? In such cases, we can see the importance of money which can contribute to the happiness of a family.

Considering both the good and bad sides of money, it is clear that man must be able to make the best and mart the judicious use of it. It will always be the root of evil when man allows it to enslave him. Money can be important in life but of what use is the money if one is not happy despite having it? Man con control his money and refrain from bad habits such as gambling. Man sinks to a low level when he makes a wrong use of money. Money is important in life but it should not become the obsession of man.