I realize for some the "Why Make Money" question doesn't really take up much brain space. Instead they may be asking, "HOW can I make money?" Right? Or "How should I make MORE money?"

This post is for any of us who've ever questioned: Should I make money doing this? Or even, Is it OK if I make a lot of money doing this??

If you look up what questions people are interested on Wordracker.com, when it comes to money lately, 411,994 people recently searched "Blogging make money." 411,1157 typed in "Make money blogging." That's like a small city of possible blogging professionals! How many searched "Why make money?" That would be .... um.... 0. None. Not one! Even "Why can't I make more money" chalked up 4 searches!

I will go against all search trends because I believe many of us have never truly answered the question: Why make money? EVEN if we don't google it! However if we gained freedom in this area, we might actually be free to make more money! Or possibly change HOW we make the money we make.

I admit up front to having somewhat of my own"religious hangover" about making money. ( And some don't have any of that. I get that) I grew up believing that "money is the root of all evils." "Blessed are the poor." It wasn't until just a few years ago that I learned that what the Bible really says is: "The LOVE OF MONEY" was the "root of all kinds of evils" In other words, money itself's not evil! BUT making money our own god... our be all - end all... that's what's evil! When what we REALLY care about is money for money's sake, then our soul may be heading toward or immersed in soul sickness. (the feeling that life feels empty, meaningless and yuk!)

The religious distortion that made material bad and poverty is good was just that... a distortion. Though warped, this "matter and money is all evil" thinking still holds power over some of our us. We would see a church building or synagogues as good ... holy... significant. A factory, business building or restaurant... well those aren't really good Or maybe just neutral but certainly not "good" or" great!" And then we have some question about those mansion type of folks! We may still think things like, "Why do so many problems in the world came from those bad, greedy rich people!?" Hmmm... as if I wasn't already in the top 2% of wealth in the world just because of where I was born. You too?

So, first, Here are 6 reasons to NOT to make money. (The Bad news first)

1. To be Perceived as being "successful" If we truly believe that success = money, then we would have to say that people like Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, most school teachers, missionaries, or those who work with the handicapped are not successful. Really?? And caring about perception... well, really a lousy way to live. (though I know I've done it, do it and will do it again. )

2. To Prove our own self-worth. Yes, it's true that many multimillionaires are driven to prove themselves and can't stop seeking to keep up with the Jones, the Gates and the Zuckerbergs. As John D. Rockefellar was reported to have said when asked how much was enough "Just One more dollar than I have." You are more than your bank account! Much more!

3. To Please Others: This doesn't mean that helping others or serving them doesn't matter... However, making money just to please parents, friends or even spouses whose "net inner worth" is tied to our own is financial co-dependence...or just co-dependence period! This may relate to #1 and #2, but is more focused on what THEY want or feel like THEY need to be OK.

4. As a Poser of some sorts: This involves not giving great value to others for the money they give us in return. This may be to a boss, a client or a patron. Wouldn't it be lousy to live by charging money to people for services we stink at or second-rate products we don't believe in? If we don't feel good about charging what we charge for our services or products, we may be posers. That stinks. It may be time to change!

5. For Personal Pleasure and nothing but: If all we earn and spend is just for more stuff and all about me, myself and I, we are likely making money for the wrong reasons..... even if its from blogging!

6. To Protect Ourselves from having to depend on anyone including God: It really is possible to think that money can keep us from needing the help of others, or from harm or even from trusting God. That won't work forever. Just saying.

OK - that was the reasons not... the good news: THERE ARE SOME GREAT REASONS YOU SHOULD MAKE MONEY.... MAYBE EVEN A LOT OF IT!!

1. Self-Sufficiency: This means being an, uh, yep, an adult. It means buying the burger with the buck you just made.

2. . Support Your Family: Yes they need shelter, food and clothes... and probably a whole lot more!

3. Stimulate the Economy: OK, though most of us don't tend to think this big picture, when we earn money, we then spend money and others can earn money and so one and so on. This is how poverty gets alleviated and people in places like Kansas, Calcutta and Kenya get to eat as well.

4. Share your Gifts even more: If you get paid to do what you're great at...you can free your time to do more of it. You really have gifts that others need! Get paid by using your best gifts!

5. So That You Can Help Others: When you earn more money, you can then give more money to help others do great things. Some like to say "I make money SO THAT...' What's your so that? So that you you can pay for daughter's education. So that you can give to teens to go on mission trips. So that you can sponsor a child through Compassion International. Some even make a whole lot of money so that they can pay to drill wells, start schools or even businesses to put provide meaningful work for people in whole nations! Very cool!

6. Serve More People in Great Ways! Yes, if you make money blogging, or any other way - you get to help people who need what you have to offer.

Which of these 6 feels MOST motivating for you?

May you make a lot of money doing what you're great at for all those good reasons and more!