Money is power. Money gives its possessor the power to buy things such as cars, houses and land. Money also gives its owner the power to do things such as traveling everywhere, eating the most delicious food or not having to slog for a living. So, one who has money has power. For this reason, the obtaining of as much money as possible is the overriding concern of most men.

Money is not easily obtained by honest means. If you are a salaried worker, you are not likely to become rich even if you work like a dog until the end of your career. The fastest way to become rich is by illegal means such as stealing, robbing, swindling, trafficking in drugs or kidnapping someone for ransom. So, the excessive love of money can lead one to do evil deeds. There are many examples to support the truth of this statement.

There are many people who resort to stealing to get money. They may steal goods, valuables and money. They may swindle others with all sorts of get-rich-quick schemes. They may kidnap somebody and demand a very high ransom.

They may even go to the extent of murdering someone to get an inheritance or their insurance money. Such people, driven by the desire to become rich, are not in the least bothered about the suffering they may cause others. So, you can see that the love of money can be the root of all evil.

There have even been instances of children abandoning their aged parents just because they are unwilling to part with some money to take care of them. They have forgotten how much love, energy, money and time their parents have lavished upon them. There are stories of men who insured their wives’ lives and then murdered them just to get the insurance money.

Apart from this, there are syndicates which capture young children, break their arms and legs, let the broken bones mend badly and, after that, use these pitiful children for begging purposes. Another example is politicians who, after becoming leaders of their countries, have stolen so much of their country’s wealth that their people forever live in abject poverty. All these examples clearly show how many people are willing to stoop just because of their love of money.

• Are you one of them?