The Genius of Money: Tribute Paid

Chapter one describes the intersection of spirit and money. The spiritual practice is considered a private matter and the world of money is a public matter. John Bloom refers to a painting that shows a Herodian character handing Jesus a coin. In the painting, Jesus is looking directly in the eye of the other person rather than at the coin because he is trying to unmask the deceit from this other character. He is not focused on the money at all. This illustrates the power of spirit over the power of money. Jesus was able to to identify what belonged in this world and what was in the realm of spirits. He was able to point out when the two would fall out of integrity. Moreover, people are dependent of money because it revolves around their culture. Money carries value in our sense of well being, which is dangerous because it is close to our self spirit. We have the opportunity to transform the way we see money and not be controlled by our desire nature. We should see money as connected to our intentions whether it be moral-ethical or disingenuous.