Money comes in for a lot of criticism for being the cause of many problems in the world. If we dispassionately look at it, money is but a medium for exchange. It has purchasing power, but the power of misuse comes from the person using it and accepting it. The problem is not money but our association with it.

When we start drawing our power from money, it no longer remains a medium, it becomes an end.  And our inner well-being gets linked to our financial status. Attachment to money veils our discrimination. And we forget to live within our means, our ego always comparing and racing against others.

If we are not careful, money becomes our goal of life. Of course money is important, but we must remember money is like petrol in the car. Without petrol the car won’t run. Similarly without money and profits our companies will not survive. However, we don’t drive our car for the petrol. We drive it to reach a destination in life. Similarly, we must run our companies and institutions for a purpose beyond profit.

Application of money is as important as acquisition of money. Money is like fire, it can warm food in the kitchen or burn the house. There is much good we can do if we are responsible and caring. And much harm to ourselves if we get carried away or depressed.

When we realise the circular nature of money, we start understanding that it goes and comes. If we don’t understand and accept this fact, we may end up spending half our life in the anxiety of making it and the other half in the fear of losing it.

Money can certainly give us a good standard of living. But with good health, strongly bonded families, honest hard work, loving friends and caring for others, we can give ourselves a good standard of life.

We are but Trustees of the wealth bestowed to us. Neither did we bring it, nor will we take it. In our lifetime we are tested and given a chance to grow. In prosperity our pride and generosity is tested and in tough times, our faith and perseverance.

And when we live and behave as true Trustees of our wealth, we realise the unshakable truth – Trust is the most valuable currency in the world.