A lawnmower is valuable because it cuts grass. But a twenty dollar bill, a personal check or a plastic credit card can't be used for too much. One person looks at a hundred dollar bill and sees a CD player. Another sees a watch, and yet another sees a bicycle for their nieces birthday. Money, in and of itself has virtually no value, but it's potential is almost limitless.
Money represents potential.
In the formative years of Jewish history, Jacob had a bully for a brother named Esau. Eventually the situation became so bad at home that Jacob had to run away from his brother, who wanted to kill him. Years later, Esau and his thugs finally caught up with Jacob. During the night before their fateful reunion, Jacob quietly moved his entire family across the river near where they had camped. Then, Jacob went back to the other side of the river.