Why Money and Spirituality Do Not Mix – George G.

About This Speaker Tape

Twelve_Traditions_of_Alcoholics_Anonymous_with_Big_Book_George G. - 2010

A deep dive into the friction between spirituality and money focusing on the 7th and 8th Traditions. George G. explores the danger of grandiosity and the necessity of remaining non-professional using the story of Bill P. who dropped a dime in the basket as a reminder of his own humility. He dissects the fine line between 'special workers'—like janitors or writers—and the forbidden act of charging for 12-step work. Through the lens of early AA history including the Rockefeller rumors and the case of Tom the fireman he argues that the only way to keep the fellowship from collapsing is to ensure that no one is a 'professional' in the rooms and that the message is always carried for free face-to-face and heart-to-heart.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 George G. opens with a review of the long-form Traditions 5, 6, and 7.
• 2:45 Story of Bill P. and the dime in the basket to avoid grandiosity.
• 6:10 Discussion on the balance of the 7th Tradition: avoiding large gifts and staying 'not cheap'.
• 9:20 Laughter: Story about a member who 'played the room' to get money for drinks.
• 13:40 George G. shares how he was told to 'steal' a Big Book when he first arrived because he couldn't afford one.
• 17:15 Transition into Tradition 8 and the history of non-professionalism.
• 22:30 The story of Tom the fireman and the necessity of paid janitorial work in the clubhouse.
• 28:10 The hard line: 'Face-to-face treatment of a drunk, no money ever.'
• 33:45 Detailed account of the Rockefeller rumors and the audit that cleared Bill W.
• 41:20 Discussion on the difference between professional treatment centers and AA meetings.
• 46:10 Analysis of anonymity breaks versus Tradition violations.
• 52:00 Closing thoughts on equality in the rooms and the 'non-professional' nature of recovery.