In our culture, almost everything revolves around money. Most goals in life have financial components: save for a down payment, pay for college, get a job, save for retirement, give gifts.
When I studied economics in college, I learned one primary principle--the free market will lead people to maximize financial gain. A piece of real estate will be used for greatest profit. An athlete will tend to follow the highest paycheck. Actually any professional will tend to take the highest paying job.
When someone wins the lottery, we imagine that all their problems are solved. Having more than enough money equals the good life. For many people, the best thing they could imagine is being materially rich.
Whether it is talent or capital or land or raw materials, we expect people to use it for profit. It just makes sense to us. That's how our society is wired.
But what if profit were not the highest value? What else is there? Caring for others? Meeting needs? Sharing love?
Not every culture values stuff the way we do. I think we have a lot to learn.
