If two people are willing to exchange, each must view the results of the exchange as being beneficial. If either of them is not of that view, the exchange will not take place. Direct And Indirect Exchange Direct exchange, or barter, is exactly that - my good or service for your good or service. The problem is that I might want what you have to offer, but you might not want what I offer in exchange. If you offer me money , I will accept it, because I know that I can exchange it for what I want, whenever I want it.
Money is the universal key, it fits all locks.
And the world it has unlocked is the world we live in today. Money has made the division of labour possible. It has made specialisation possible. It has made the accumulation of wealth over periods which exceed a human lifetime possible. Perhaps most important of all, it has hugely advanced the potential for amicable interaction between people.