Money talks and bullship walks

I have spent my entire career (all seven years of it) working in the non-profit sector. I knew that I would after receiving my undergrad, and I believe that I always will, even with my master’s or doctorate.
My agency recently has a (mandatory) staff retreat, a day to “rejuvenate and refocus.” The majority of the morning, however, was spent listening to the CEO talk about money and our new programs and money and new staff and money and fundraising in a crappy economy and money. I was most disappointed by that.
Money doesn’t rejuvenate me, it doesn’t refocus me, and it surely doesn’t motivate me. Does it motivate you, dear reader? Please enlighten me if so, for I cannot understand the appeal. I understand its value in paying the rent and getting that coffee and those plane tickets that I love so much, however, beyond that…
I think I can say, and I’ve heard this from my clients, is that money provides security. I have been very blessed in that I‘ve always had enough for my needs, and perhaps this makes me “unqualified” to speak about this.
There just seems to be something a little soulless about a non-profit spending so much time talking about the money. A non-profit is still a business, I understand, and needs money to operate, but I don’t think that should be our driving force. I think that our clients should be, our mission should be, our calling, if you will, should be.
What do you think, dear reader?