What does money mean to you?  Do you think of it only as a necessity, which it is of course?  In other words do you think of it just as what you need to pay the bills?  Or is it something you save for buying things other than necessities?  Does it define your status?  These examples are some of the ways that people often use to determine their self-worth.

Now, one can say that it doesn’t matter.  Others may think it is all that matters.  Of course it matters whether one is able to provide for oneself and/or one’s family.  But inability to provide can be the result of unforeseen circumstances or many other things.  But beyond that, how does a person evaluate themselves with regard to how much money is necessary to have a decent life.

In my opinion, money can be a way of categorizing the value of others in the eyes of those who are in powerful positions.  That attitude can be mean-spirited and/or disrespectful. If one is being considered for qualification involving a loan, perhaps that is a different story.  But in my opinion, respect for others should not be determined by monetary wealth.  The content of a person’s character is important in many more ways than how much money a person has in their possession.  Possession of dollars and things alone cannot be the true determination of who a person is and what they stand for in society.  People do not necessarily receive what they deserve in this life.  One can honestly say that life is not fair.  

So, the question, “What does money mean to you?” is a good way to see your attitude and evaluate yourself in terms of what is essentially important to you.  You are the only one that can honestly do that.  And then, you can finish the sentence, “Money is …”