Do you like to be popular, and thrive on the approval of others? But I told my followers to beware when all men speak well of you. You can extend this lesson slightly to say, beware when all men agree with you. This may mean that you are entirely correct in your understanding, and they are too, or it may mean that you don’t know enough people. If you don’t know anyone who challenges your thinking should you rejoice in this, or should you make the effort to seek out those who do? How will you grow if your current state isn’t put to the test?

Does the source of money matter, or is money as it is commonly supposed, to be the ultimate neutral and value free commodity? If you support a charitable cause, would you rather have donations from school children or from a wealthy crime boss looking to ease his conscience? Would it surprise you to learn that someone earning a hundred dollars is more likely to donate a portion of it than someone who receives the same amount as an entitlement? I said that the widow who gave two mites in the offering gave more than those who gave out of their excess abundance.

Is it important to you that people agree with you? This is comforting and reassuring, and it is easier than ever before to find like-minded people to support you. Is it important to you to know the truth? This is a more difficult task. You need to start by accepting the possibility that you (and your friends) may be wrong. You need to subject your beliefs and thoughts and opinions to scrutiny and acknowledge that those outside of your circle may know something you don’t. You may have to let go of cherished positions.

Did you have to go through an application and interview process for your current job? These are typical activities in a market economy. Do you have any ‘jobs’ that you didn’t apply for? You may have some unpaid activities that you perform diligently and regularly as responsibilities that you take seriously. You may find greater meaning and purpose in these things than you do in the job you get paid for. Perhaps that is why you do them. If man does not live by bread alone, then he also does live by monetary activities alone.