As Gordon Gekko once put it so eloquently in the movie that changed the whole world's perspective on Wall Street, "Greed is good." Or is it?
Professionals with Doctorate degrees call greediness an "addiction" or some compensatory mechanism for guilt; an insatiable desire to get more than enough of what they don't really need; a compulsion.
My simplistic mind would prefer to refer to greed as a plague. It is a manifest infestation of an individual's desire to relentlessly pursue wealth and self-gratification in it's most gruesome and archaic form. A primitive display of covetousness.
I happen to embrace the anti-thesis of Gekko's dictum. Greed is not bad at all, it is evil.
I see greed's ultimate goal is to deprive others from attaining their own pursuits, to include the most basic of human survival needs. Whilst to some people they don't see the direct correlation with murder, greed kills. In third world economies, greediness should be a crime associated with genocide.
Sadly, and tragically, greed is not even considered a crime albeit it is one of the worst form of crime I can think of. The Law of the Land evades it, the Law of Corporations sustains it.
So in reality, there is an endless parade of greedy people in powerful positions in government and corporations around the globe guiltless-ly displaying luxurious and lavish lifestyles, sub-titling their Instagram snapshots with ... "look and die with envy." For the faint of heart, and spirit, they bleed with jealousy and with the same grain of desire longs to romp in the dark corridors of the absolutely seductive excessiveness. However you splice and dice it, the world considers these greedy, powerful individuals as "icons" and heroes.
Now, what are all these material trappings without wisdom, discernment, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety, and above all, fear of the Lord? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
At the end of everything, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"
Remain steadfast. I have personally chosen to uphold and clutch tightly to the Law of God
I don't think greed and ambition are necessarily wrong. It is when theyour greed is more important than your morality I think whwen it gets too bad. I mean, I would love to be rich, but there are a hell of a lot of things I would not do in pursuit of my personal gain. I would not screw over another, steal. I am greedy, but I don't think it is bad, so long as you are not harming others to get what you want (and hey, maybe helping others on the way too). I mean look at Bill Gates. He's fucking loaded, but he earned the money through his own hard work, pays his employees well, and gives back to the world at large. His ambition and yes, greed, got him where he is. And he has done a lot for this world. Except that Vista shit. WTF was that all aabout?
ReplyDeleteNice to see you back bloggin. Big kisses!
I agree...whole heartedly with this topic. greatly done dear lady.
ReplyDeletegreed. it's almost like a phobia of being empty ... or a hoarder ...
ReplyDelete*****What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"****
ReplyDeleteI've always loved that verse.
Unfortunately, the world is overflowing w/ Gordon Gekkos.
I, for one, desire my soul! x
There is something truly sinister about greed. It seems to me to be at the root of all kinds of despicable behavior, and yet it is obviously about seeking something that we do not have - a certain kind of joy that ever eludes us. For it seems to me that the really greedy in this world are never joyous, never satisfied, and certainly never grateful. And to that end they are the most pitiable people.
ReplyDeleteMy dearest friends, it is always heartwarming to see y'all make time to drop a comment. I miss the Blog world and miss all of you. I even miss the Coffee Shop's paradox of senselessness and sensitivity. Grateful, like always.
ReplyDeleteIn my personal experiences professional athletes and politicians are the greediest because of their Type A personalities and pretentious high opinion of themselves. Doctors, lawyers, bankers, technicians and business owners also fit this sleezy profile. Don't even get me started on corporations..
ReplyDeleteLet's take a quick look at basketball star Michael Jordan and golfer Tiger Woods for example. Tiger Woods is among the highest paid athletes in the world (if you consider golfers athletes.. Ha!) and makes more money from a single commercial endorsement than a hundred average working Joes working 40-50hr a week jobs! After the luxury mansions (plural), jet plane, Rolls Royce and Bentley are paid-off, and all the bills are all paid in full, with another 10 million dollar endorsement check from a Wheaties cereal box cover he could buy some more shiney, expensive bling for his trophy girlfriend/wifey/mistress/whatever..
Sad thing is that in our current society it's socially acceptable, even encouraged, to be motivated by fame and greed. Don't get brainwashed into contemporary culture where no-talent people like Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton are idolized because of their wealth and fame.
In 1 Timothy 6:1 thru 10 titled Love of Money reads: (starting at verse 9) "people who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil"
~Michæl