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Much has been written and preached over the centuries in Christian circles about the conflict between God and money. It has been asserted that, if you love God, you hate money and all it stands for (the popular concepts of wealth, success, etc.). If you love money, you hate God.
For Pagans, the view is different, more practical. There is the belief that "we are here in the material world, at least in part, to enjoy and experience all the world has to offer," stated Melinda. Pagans do not see the world or material objects as something to be shunned. Nature, science, technology, food, drink, all link humanity together. Money is the means by which people can take advantage of this link, in many instances, so Pagans accept the need to work, to budget - for the most part, free of the "hang ups" on conscience imposed by other churches.
Another interesting aspect of Paganism's relationship to money is how many Pagans live on a tight budget, eeking out a living from month to month, yet thoroughly enjoying their lifestyle. Nephie provides an example, "Last year, I was working a full-time job, with extras on the side... making money hand-over-fist... I had all this money, but no real time to enjoy it, life, my spiritual development, or my friends and family... So I cut back dramatically on work... my income more than halved... But my quality of life improved by about 500 percent."
So it is that "poor Pagans" - or "financially challenged", as Melinda prefers to term it - tend to hold dear the "more important things in life": love, kindness, spiritual connection, peace of mind. These cannot be purchased. These are found when a person takes the time to find them within and share them with the All.
Part of this focus originates when a person can "distinguish needs from wants," as Dennis points out. "We learned that money was only a tool. Life has a way of happening, whether we have money or not. Peace and happiness happen whether we have money or not. And so it is with love."
Finding balance is so much easier for Pagans who don't worry unnecessarily about how large their bank account has grown, how thick their investment portfolio is, or what minister will be knocking on their door to nag at them about "tithing" 10% to the local church. When Pagans give to worthy causes, they do so generously because they believe in the cause. If they buy a new car or move to a new house, it is because it fits into the greater scheme of things, not merely for "prestige" or "social status".
A Pagan can go from being wealthy to poor - monetarily - in a heartbeat. That doesn't mean a poverty of ideas or spirit. Pagans relish the wealth that binds them to daily life, the chance to learn, to grow.
Nephie sums it up: "If the choice is between being 'penniless but rich' or 'wealthy and lacking', then I will always empty my bank account and make more room for other, more important things in my life."
If, besides Pagans, others held this attitude, the world would be a totally different place.
- Quill