EMMET FOX - April 7 2026

TEMPLE OF SOLOMON SILVER

Next comes the silver. This stands for greed of money or money’s worth, for material objects that can be bought, and even for riches themselves. Or it may be that the offender is not interested in riches themselves but in their ability to give him honor in the eyes of the world. He wants to be considered important and to have adulation or applause. Often he wants to be a “leader,” not because he has a message to give but to be important. He is the victim of egotism. Now this is a base and ignoble sin; an insurmountable barrier across the spiritual path.

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while coveted after, they have erred from faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:10)

© 1931 by Emmet Fox 

KEEP IT SIMPLE #essentialsofrecovery

Money costs too much.

~ Ross MacDonald ~

Many people are poor and really need money to live better lives. But we’re in trouble if we think money will solve all our problems. If money solved all problems, all rich people would be happy.

Consider this: A man talks about his short-comings in a Twelve Step meeting. He says his main shortcoming is to think being happy means having enough money. But then he says that he has over a million dollars!

This man is lucky—not because he has money, but because he knows greed is a shortcoming. He knows he has a spiritual problem. He doesn’t need money; he needs faith in a Higher Power.

Prayer for the Day

Higher Power, help me to really believe I’ll be given what I need. This will free me to get on with life.

Action for the Day Today

I’ll read over the promises of the program. They are found at the bottom of page 83 and at the top of page 84 in the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, Third Edition.

Copyright © 1988 by Hazelden Foundation 

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FR. LEO'S DAILY MEDITATION #essentialsofrec #Recovery #Money #Fr.Leo

MONEY

“Capital, as such, is not evil; it is its wrong use that is evil”

~ Mohandas K. Gandhi ~

I am not afraid to say I am concerned for my prosperity—not just in terms of health, friendship, and employment but also in terms of money. For years, I wanted to have the best and not short change myself, and I felt guilty. In sobriety, I know I deserve the best. Money, prosperity, and capital are not bad in themselves; it is how I use them that matters.

Today, as promised in recovery, things are getting better, and I am able to invest and buy wisely. I am able to appreciate and share my monetary benefits. Family, friends, and the needy can genuinely share my prosperity: The more I give away today, the more I get.

May I always use the gift of money responsibly.

© 2008 Leo Booth

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As Bill Sees It #essentialsofrec #Money #BillW

Money–Before and After, p. 177

In our drinking time, we acted as if the money supply were inexhaustible, though between binges we’d sometimes go to the other extreme and become miserly. Without realizing it, we were just accumulating funds for the next spree. Money was the symbol of pleasure and self-importance. As our drinking became worse, money was only an urgent requirement which could supply us with the next drink and the temporary comfort of oblivion it brought.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Although financial recovery is on the way for many of us, we find we cannot place money first. For us, material well-being always follows spiritual progress; it never precedes.

1. 12 & 12, p. 120
2. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 127 

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Keep It Simple #essentialsofrec #Money #Prayer

Money cost to much.

—Ross MacDonald

Many people are poor and really need money to live better. But we’re in trouble if we think money will solve all our problems. If money solved all problems, all rich people would be happy.
Consider this: A man talks about his shortcomings in a Twelve Step meeting. He says his main shortcoming is to think being happy means having enough money. But then he says that he has over a million dollars! This man is lucky—not because he has money, but because he knows greed is a shortcoming. He knows he has a spiritual problem. He doesn’t need money; he needs faith in a Higher Power.

Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me to really believe I’ll be given what I need. This will free me to get on with life.

Action for the Day: Today, I’ll read over the promises of the program. They are found at the bottom of page 83 at the top of the page of page 84 in the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, Third Edition

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KEEP IT SIMPLE #essentialsofrec #Shortcomings #Recovery

Money costs too much.

~ Ross MacDonald ~

Many people are poor and really need money to live better lives. But we’re in trouble if we think money will solve all our problems. If money solved all problems, all rich people would be happy.

Consider this: A man talks about his short-comings in a Twelve Step meeting. He says his main shortcoming is to think being happy means having enough money. But then he says that he has over a million dollars!

This man is lucky—not because he has money, but because he knows greed is a shortcoming. He knows he has a spiritual problem. He doesn’t need money; he needs faith in a Higher Power.

Prayer for the Day

Higher Power, help me to really believe I’ll be given what I need. This will free me to get on with life.

Action for the Day Today

I’ll read over the promises of the program. They are found at the bottom of page 83 and at the top of page 84 in the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, Third Edition.

Copyright © 1988 by Hazelden Foundation

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Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrec

FR> LEO'S DAILY MEDITATION #essentialsofrecovery

MONEY

“Capital, as such, is not evil; it is its wrong use that is evil”

~ Mohandas K. Gandhi ~

I am not afraid to say I am concerned for my prosperity—not just in terms of health, friendship, and employment but also in terms of money. For years, I wanted to have the best and not short change myself, and I felt guilty. In sobriety, I know I deserve the best. Money, prosperity, and capital are not bad in themselves; it is how I use them that matters.

Today, as promised in recovery, things are getting better, and I am able to invest and buy wisely. I am able to appreciate and share my monetary benefits. Family, friends, and the needy can genuinely share my prosperity: The more I give away today, the more I get.

May I always use the gift of money responsibly.

© 2008 Leo Booth 

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Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrecovery

MONEY

“Capital, as such, is not evil; it is its wrong use that is evil.”

~ Mohandas K. Gandhi

Today I am not afraid to say that I am concerned for my prosperity — not just in terms of health, friendship and employment but also concerning money. For years I was concerned to have the best, buy the best, own the best and not “shortchange” myself — yet I felt guilty in having such feelings. Today in my sobriety I truly believe that I deserve the best. In this way I am loving myself. Money, prosperity and capital are not “bad” in themselves; it is how we use them.

Today, as promised in my recovery, things are certainly getting better and I am able to invest and buy wisely. Some years ago I would squander money on my addiction. Today I am able to appreciate and share my monetary benefits. Family, friends and the “needy” can genuinely share my prosperity: the more I give away today, the more I get.

Thank You for all the many benefits You have showered upon me in my recovery, not least capital. May I always use it responsibly.

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As Bill Sees It #essentialsofrecovery

Money–Before and After, p. 177

In our drinking time, we acted as if the money supply were inexhaustible, though between binges we’d sometimes go to the other extreme and become miserly. Without realizing it, we were just accumulating funds for the next spree. Money was the symbol of pleasure and self-importance. As our drinking became worse, money was only an urgent requirement which could supply us with the next drink and the temporary comfort of oblivion it brought.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Although financial recovery is on the way for many of us, we find we cannot place money first. For us, material well-being always follows spiritual progress; it never precedes.

1. 12 & 12, p. 120
2. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 127 

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Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery

As Bill Sees It

Money–Before and After, p. 177

In our drinking time, we acted as if the money supply were inexhaustible, though between binges we’d sometimes go to the other extreme and become miserly. Without realizing it, we were just accumulating funds for the next spree. Money was the symbol of pleasure and self-importance. As our drinking became worse, money was only an urgent requirement which could supply us with the next drink and the temporary comfort of oblivion it brought.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Although financial recovery is on the way for many of us, we find we cannot place money first. For us, material well-being always follows spiritual progress; it never precedes.

1. 12 & 12, p. 120
2. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 127 

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Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery

The Eye Opener #essentialsofrecovery

Money is a medium of exchange and is as good as the things you can get with it.

If you have enough money in your pocket when you fall overboard it can drown you.

Love of money can make you the most despised of men, but love of mankind can make your money a blessing to you and to them.

Copyright Hazelden Foundation 

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Fr. LEO'S DAILY MEDITATION #essentialsofrecovery

MONEY

“Money does not always bring happiness. People with ten milliom dollars are no happier than people with nine million dollars.”

~ Hobart Brown 

There is nothing intrinsically wrong with money. It is not good or bad in itself—it is what I do with it. As a comedian stated, “I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor. Rich is better!” In what sense is it better? Perhaps in the freedom it affords me to travel or buy things, or in the way I can help others and contribute to their well-being. To hoard money, be stingy with myself or others, make a god of possessions, or be compulsive about earning produces the same pain as any other addiction.

Money is meant to be used. It is a benefit of sobriety, part of what it means to say “It gets better.” Sober, I am more responsible and creative, and this brings its rewards.

Help me be a responsible steward of the possessions You entrust to me.

© 2008 Leo Booth

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The Eye Opener #essentialsofrecovery

Some time ago, I felt it necessary to make a record of the various sums of money owed me for my occasional handouts for a flop, or to get clothes out of hock, or to replace the false teeth lost or broken on the last binge. The total amount began to grow to staggering proportions and I became very unhappy – so unhappy, in fact, I tore the record up and now I am happy again.

Copyright Hazelden Foundation

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Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrecovery

MONEY

“Money often costs too much.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Money can be a curse. It can destroy people. Money in itself has no value. It needs to be “used” or “put to work”. The problem is that many people think it can work miracles, i.e., “make me happy”, “give me self-esteem”, “bring love into my life”, “remove my loneliness”, “cure my insecurities and remove my alcohol or drug problems!” The historical list of wealthy casualties indicates that this is not the case. We cannot “buy” ourselves out of a disease! In this sense, money costs too much.

Because I have a compulsive nature, I need to be aware of my desire for money and the responsible way I need to use it. Spirituality involves the use of money. I need to be positive in my attitude towards money but also creative about how to use it.

I need always to remember that true wealth is found in my discovery of the God within and not in the clothes I wear.

O God, let me make money serve me; may I never be foolish enough to serve it.

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Today’s Gift #essentialsofrecovery

The Importance of Money

We cannot afford to allow our focus in life to be money. That will not lead us into the abundance we’re seeking. Usually, it will not even lead to financial stability.

Money is important. We deserve to be paid what we’re worth. We will be paid what we’re worth when we believe we deserve to be. But often plans fail when our primary consideration is money.

What do we really want to do? What do we feel led to do? What are our instincts telling us? What do we feel guided to do? What are we excited about doing? Seek to find a way to do that, without worrying about the money.

Consider the financial aspects. Set boundaries about what you need to be paid. Be reasonable. Expect to start at the bottom and work up. But if you feel led toward a job, go for it.

Is there something we truly don’t want to do, something that goes against our grain, but we are trying to force ourselves into it “for the money”? Usually, that’s a behavior that backfires. It doesn’t work. We make ourselves miserable, and the money usually goes wrong too.

Money is a consideration, but it cannot be our primary consideration if we are seeking spiritual security and peace of mind.

Today, I will make money a consideration, but I will not allow it to become my primary consideration. God, help me be true to myself and trust that the money will follow.

From the book:

The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie

                                  The Language of Letting Go © 1990 by Hazelden Foundation

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A DAY AT A TIME #essentialsofrecovery

Reflection for the Day

My addictions were like thieves in more ways than I can count. They robbed me not only of money, property, and other material things, but of dignity and self-respect, while my family and friends suffered right along with me. My addictions also robbed me of the ability to treat myself properly, as God would treat me. Today, in total contrast, I’m capable of true love of self—to the extent that I’m able to provide myself with more love than even I need. So I give that love away to other people in the Program, just as they have given their love to me. Do I thank God for bringing me to a Program in which sick people are loved back to health?

Today I Pray

Thanks be to God for a way of life which generates such love and caring that we in the Program can’t help but learn to love ourselves. When I see that someone cares about me, I am more apt to be convinced that perhaps I am, after all, worth caring about. May I be conscious always of the love I am now able to give—and give it.

Today I Will Remember

Someone caring about me makes me feel worth caring about.

© 1989 by Hazelden Foundation

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Walk In Dry Places #essentialsofrecovery

Material things matter
The Money Problem

Now and then we have heated discussions about the role of material things in sobriety. Someone is bound to say that money can’t buy happiness and that the spiritual has to come first.

But material things do matter in our lives, and we share with others the same desire to get ahead in life. We usually like good clothes, new cars, and steady pay checks. It is somewhat hypocritical to say that money and material things don’t matter when we obviously need money and would like to have more of it.

Our problem with money and material things occurred when we made a god of them, when we saw worldly success as the end-all and be-all of life. The proper function of money is to provide for smooth exchange of the goods and services we must use in order to live. Far from denouncing spiritual gifts that should be used properly, but not worshipped. More than likely, we can appreciate material things far more than we did while drinking, despite the exaggerated love we had then for worldly things.

I will neither despise material things nor make a god of them today. I will view them as part of God’s plan, as things to use. 

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TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY #essentialsofrecovery

A.A. Thought for the Day

I no longer waste money, but try to put it to good use. Like all of us, when I was drunk, I threw money around like I really had it. It gave me a feeling of importance—a millionaire for a day. But the morning after, with an empty wallet and perhaps also some undecipherable checks, was a sad awakening. How could I have been such a fool? How will I ever make it up? Thoughts like these get you down. When we are sober, we spend our hard-earned money as it should be spent. Although perhaps some of us could be more generous in our A. A. giving, at least we do not throw it away. Am I making good use of my money?

Meditation for the Day

You were meant to be at home and comfortable in the world. Yet some people live a life of quiet desperation. This is the opposite of being at home and at peace in the world. Let your peace of mind be evident to those around you. Let others see that you are comfortable, and seeing it, know that it springs from your trust in a Higher Power. The dull, hard way of resignation is not God’s way. Faith takes the sting out of the winds of adversity and brings peace even in the midst of struggle

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be more comfortable in my way of living. I pray that I may feel more at home and at peace within myself.

© 1954, 1975, 1992 by Hazelden Foundation

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AS BILL SEES IT #essentialsofrecovery

~ Page 324 ~

Spirituality and Money

Some of us still ask, “Just what is this Third Legacy business anyhow? And just how much territory does `service’ take in?”

Let’s begin with my own sponsor, Ebby. When Ebby heard how serious my drinking was, he resolved to visit me. He was in New York; I was in Brooklyn. His resolve was not enough; he had to take action and he had to spend money.

He called me on the phone and then got into the subway; total cost, ten cents. At the level of the telephone booth and subway turnstile, spirituality and money began to mix. One without the other would have amounted to nothing at all.

Right then and there, Ebby established the principle that A.A. in action calls for the sacrifice of much time and a little money.

~ A.A. COMES OF AGE, P. 140-141 ~

© 1967 by Alcoholics Anonymous ® World Services, Inc 

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THE EYE OPENER #essentialsofrecovery

Money is a medium of exchange and is as good as the things you can get with it.If you have enough money in your pocket when you fall overboard it can drown you.

Love of money can make you the most despised of men, but love of mankind can make your money a blessing to you and to them.

Published by Hazelden

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