Ahh, love is in the air, isn’t it? I can just hear cash registers around the country being overworked on this day that is loved by retailers more than it is loved by consumers. Call me Scrooge, but do we really need an unofficial holiday of love? If the government would recognize it and declare it a national holiday, then I’d start to like it more, because at least I would get the day off. Anyway, I’ll stop the Valentine’s negativity, and get on with my dark “love” post for Valentine’s day.

Did you know that money destroys individual lives and families every day? I’m sure you did, and you might even be the recipient of the dangers that the love for money can bring with it. It’s not that money has an evil side to it. Money is an object, it’s neither good or evil. But, money becomes bad when it is put into people’s hands with bad intentions. Similarly, people who pursue it endlessly make it look very bad. On this Valentine’s day, I want you to take a strong look at yourself and see if you may be in love with money and how to kick it to the curb if you are in love with it.

• Your family life is suffering. Ask yourself, when is the last time that you spent quality time with your spouse or kids? Could this be because you are endlessly pursuing more money by taking more hours on at work or taking on more leads/jobs. Do you find it more pleasureful to earn money than to spend time with your family? Are your thoughts consumed with becoming rich beyond belief?
• Your physical life is suffering. When is the last time that you spent some time on yourself? When have you exercised last? Do you find yourself constantly stressed out and pushing yourself to extreme fatigue, just to get ahead in life and make more money?
• You’ve become more greedy. You may find yourself giving less at church, or never thinking about giving to charity. You may actually start mentally making fun of those that ask for charitable gifts, and your heart becomes hardened to the thought of giving.

How to stop loving money so much. The first thing you should do once you have realized that money or the pursuit of money is running your life, is to talk to someone. Talk to your spouse, best friend, spiritual leader, or a family member that you really trust. Ask them if they’ve seen the same patterns that you’ve began to see in yourself. Some of you might say, “I know I’m not in love with money, because I don’t have any of it”. This is such a common myth to think that just because you’re not rich that you don’t love money. In the Bible, Matthew 6:21 says, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”. The constant pursuit of becoming wealthy to the point where it controls your life is just as bas as those that have a bunch of money but hoard it. Once you’ve confessed to someone your problem, the next thing to do is start becoming a generous person again. Start giving money. Even if it’s not much, the simple act of giving can cure your infatuation with money.

What I’m not saying: I’m not saying that becoming wealthy or desiring to become wealthy is a bad thing. What I am saying is that when the desire and drive to become wealthy takes over your life, there is a problem. And for those that have money who boast an arrogant attitude about it and hoard their money, have a problem as well. Money is a powerful thing. You can do so much good with it and so much bad with it. Treat it wisely, and remember that it will never bring you lasting happiness. Happy Valentine’s Day!