Greed

Introduction

What comes to mind when we talk about Bernie Madoff, Rod Blagojevish and Ramalingam Raju? Most of you would agree that it is greed, which is the cause of foreclosures, bank failures, job losses and the current turmoil in the global economy. I wanted to take few minutes today to highlight what greed is and influence you to be aware of greed and avoid it if it's possible.

What is Greed?
Greed is the self-serving desire for money, wealth, power, food, or other material possessions. Greed is excessive acquiring wealth most of the times depriving others. When one acquires more than their fair share, other people do not get what they deserve. It is a strong desire in each and every one of us that is extremely difficult to overcome.

When greed is prevalent in someone, holy thoughts such as charity, kindness and humility are lacking. The greedy person values money and possessions more than God. By desiring excessive wealth men ignore Godly thoughts and hence do not fulfill their obligatory duty of serving the society which supports them. The greedy persons try to possess many things that pleases them, making them the center of their efforts, which in turn creates pride and arrongance.

Spiritually speaking..

• According to Catholicism, Greed is considered as one of the seven deadly sins. Hence greed should be avoided.
• In the epic Mahabharata, Bhishma teaches us that Greed is the foundation of all sin. From greed spring loss of judgment, deception, pride, arrogance, and malice. Greed alone is a great destroyer of merit and goodness.
• The Tao Teh Ching, too, tells us that, “There is no greater calamity than indulging in greed;”.
• The Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs, questions “Where there is greed, what love can there be?”
• Buddhists believe greed is based on incorrectly connecting material wealth with happiness. Research studies in the field of happiness confirm that beyond the provision of a basic level of material comfort, more wealth does not increase happiness.

There may be greed if you:

• go to an "all you can eat" buffet and feel obliged to eat as much as possible to get your money's worth
• can't say "no" when offered money to do a job.

• are always seeking ways to make more money.


• have fallen for several "get rich quick" schemes.


• buy stocks thinking they will double in value in few days.


• joined a multi-level marketing.
  
• become perturbed when you purchase an item and find it cheaper elsewhere.
• would rather have a high paying job than one which is interesting and rewarding.
• despise paying taxes and have sympathy for those who find ways to avoid such.
  

How to avoid greed

First and foremost the understanding of greed and it's follies will help us be aware of greed in. Consciously making efforts to serving the community, doing charity work will also help.

Conclusion
I would like to conclude with the following aphorism:
It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.