So “money makes the world go round” they say! Money certainly is a nice thing to have, if you can get it. Comfortable house, reliable car, and the ability to afford an education, holidays, and nice food – but what is it that motivates us to make changes in society, or in the world at large – changes that enhance our lives, that enhance our safety, our rights, our relationships within our families and in life generally?

Just the other day, in traffic, I was listening to ABC Radio and dear Richard Glover was interviewing some Government Minister (sorry I missed his name) about the new funding that is going to be available to couples prior to their marriage. Glover pursued the Minister “but surely this isn’t the job of government? Why are you offering money for couples to have pre-marriage counselling?”

I was staggered to hear the answer – it went something like this, “well investment now is investment in the future. This will help to guarantee that marriages will last longer and there will be less break-ups. This will ultimately save us money. The cost of relationship break-ups is huge and so we will end up saving money through this new policy.” Are you kidding me? At that point I needed to remind myself that I was driving and in heavy traffic – but really??

Now don’t get me wrong, I think it is imperative for couples who are about to make the ultimate commitment, to seek out good marriage preparation, but what about the human cost of broken relationships – the kids that suffer so much, and the adults? Often there is a terrible emotional and psychological cost. The implication here is that if break-ups didn’t cost us so much money there would be no need to offer the money for the courses. One has to ask what is it that is motivating policy making these days, just financial factors? For example are we jettisoning people as quickly as possible from hospitals to save money, instead of saving lives?

Globally does the free world consider intervention in Northern Iraq to stand against the evil religious fanatics because ultimately it will save the world money and protect oil supplies and therefore keep prices down? Surely to goodness there are other motivating factors in doing things to bring about change? What about the intrinsic value of human life, the intrinsic worth of protecting innocent lives from crazed and evil gunmen.

Morality must never be determined by money. Morality is about doing what is right and loving and just. We need to remind our politicians of these things. Let me conclude with this

“For the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil. Some have been so eager to have it that they have wandered away from the faith and have broken their hearts with many sorrows.” (1Timothy6:10)

Rev David N. Williams
College Chaplin