Answering Chanyuan Celestial’s Questions: Elaborating on "Earning Money Is a Sin"

Xuefeng

September 8, 2017

Question: "Esteemed guide, recently you mentioned, 'Earning money is a sin, and the more one earns, the greater the sin,' which is also stated in the Chanyuan Values. I'm a bit puzzled because there seems to be a shift towards striving to accumulate more wealth. Could you clarify this apparent change in perspective regarding earning money?

Response: Apologies, this proposition might be beyond your current understanding, causing confusion. Let me try to explain, and if it remains unclear, let's postpone discussing it for now.

To eradicate the gun, one must wield it; otherwise, it remains aimed at your head.

"Earning money is a sin, and the more money one earns, the greater the sin”—this represents a macro-strategic concept. In our community where you resided, members no longer engage in the exchange of goods using money. Wouldn't life without monetary exchanges among members be ideal? If you agree, wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone globally adopted our lifestyle? Reintroducing money would lead to a series of troubles, sorrows, and sins. Do you acknowledge the truth in this reasoning? If so, then the concept that “Earning money is a sin...” holds true. Will there be money in heaven? Certainly not. In a communist society, currency will cease to exist. Isn't that favorable?

Therefore, why do we need to earn money? Because in today's world, whether it's developed countries, countries like China, or even poorer nations, the primary medium for exchanging goods and productivity among people is money—currency. Without money, society would immediately collapse because a mechanism to effectively operate without money has not yet been established. Hence, the entire functioning of society relies on money. In such an environment, if one does not earn money, it's practically impossible for you to go anywhere or to do anything and may even lead to starvation. Therefore, despite knowing that earning money is a sin, we still find ourselves compelled to commit this sin.

How do we atone for these sins? Our aim in earning money is not for personal gain but to invest it in the Lifechanyuan era. When the world adopts the Lifechanyuan production and lifestyle globally, the entire planet, including people, nature, and other creatures, will benefit. Essentially, we use a portion of sin to establish nine portions of merit. By doing so, we not only make amends for our sins but also create an additional eight parts of merit.

Regarding whether earning money is a sin, this can be supported by empirical evidence: the destruction inflicted upon nature, the suffering and oppression people endure for money, and the harm to people's spirits.