Where in your life are you yearning for more? Being driven for what we do not have is neither good nor bad. Sometimes those desires turn into greed, with its hideous manifestations. To want more is human; how can we keep this yearning from mutating into greed?
Note: Question: How many pairs of shoes does a women need? Answer: Just one more!
My Mysterious Mind
Are you greedy? As I ponder that question about myself, the image of Scrooge comes to mind and his obsession with money. There’s a cartoon version where Scrooge is portrayed by a duck; I can’t shake the image of him sitting at a desk with piles of gold coins stacked around him. I don’t look anything like that image. Am I greedy?
According to online dictionaries, greed is an intense, insatiable, and selfish desire for something. Examples given are wealth, power, land, social status, possessions, and food. I find that last example surprising and a bit funny. Other phrases describe greed as excessive, a desire for something beyond what is needed or more than one’s share. Greedy people are portrayed as ugly, their behavior and attitudes being hurtful towards other people.
So, considering that definition, are you greedy? Am I greedy? For what do we desire more than what we need and consequently behave in selfish ways trying to obtain it? Let’s just start with the first part: What do I desire more than I have? Where am I driven by dissatisfaction in my life?
For me, I always seem to want more shoes, jewelry, and clothes. Currently there are two pairs of shoes in my possession that I have not yet worn. A few days ago, that number was three. I also own two sets of necklace/earring combinations still waiting to be worn, nestled in their boxes. Would I buy another pair of shoes? Absolutely. Would I buy more jewelry if I saw something I liked? Certainly. Did I just buy two more shirts despite having a closet full of clothes? Convicted as charged.
Then, moving on to the second part, is my desire for more of something driving me to behave in selfish ways trying to obtain it? For this one, I confess to wanting more time with my children and grandchildren and sometimes having a bitter attitude about it. I count the number of visits my children make where my grandchildren see their “other” grandparents. Do we see our grandchildren on holidays or do our children’s in-laws get that time? I confess my heart gets a little ugly if I think I am not getting my fair share. Am I being greedy?
What about you? Do you desire more than what you have? Does that yearning for more push you to behave in selfish ugly ways, or maybe just have obnoxious thoughts? Considering that greed can be expressed in ways beyond the prototypical Scrooge problem, where in your life might a dissatisfaction for what you have be darkening your thoughts?
Message of Mystery Acres
How does the insidious greed monster sneak into the sanctuary of the forest? It’s pretty easy really. He hitchhikes in my mind and heart. And he tags along in the recesses of my husband, too.
We have three lots that total 17.5 acres. We predominantly use one of the three lots and about an acre of it. The rest is just a sound buffer and provides places to roam. There are more trees than I could possibly examine and more rocks than I might study in several lifetimes. Do I want more? Of course. I already contacted one of the neighbors about buying one of their lots that is contiguous to ours. I watch for “For Sale” signs going up near our lots. Like the game Monopoly, I would definitely buy additional properties if I landed on the opportunity.
We bought one cabin three years ago and are still finishing it out on the inside. As I roam the forest I imagine cabins in other locations. The top of “Rocky Top” would have a great view; how might I create access to it? Oh, this spot behind the shed would have a lovely view of the back side of our property; should we someday put an A-frame home there? And this high ground that slopes into the lowland would be a great spot for a walk-out basement home; should be build something there?
And so it goes. The insatiable longing for more lurks everywhere, even in the natural beauty of Mystery Acres. Thus far that pesky pusher hasn’t caused me to act ugly, at least I hope not. When the neighbor didn’t want to sell, I politely accepted that response. I hope he someday changes his mind. Do I “need” more land? Absolutely not. Do I want it? You bet. Do we “need” more cabins? Not now.
The message of Mystery Acres is a caution. Beware of the endless yearning for more. Be aware that our human nature is impossible to fully satisfy, the selfish child who wants the bigger slice or the better toy is still alive and well inside of each of us. Scrooge isn’t just a money-hoarding cartoon duck. Greed can, and will, show up in sneaky ways, pushing us to want more and to be unsatisfied with the abundance we already have.
Ancient Mystery’s Voice
“Jesus said, ‘Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed.’” (See Luke 12:15)
Luke documented a curious exchange between Jesus and an unnamed person in the 12th chapter of his book, specifically verses 13 and 14. The man in the crowd asked Jesus to tell his brother to divide the inheritance with him. Jesus responded with a question, a common strategy He used, asking the man who appointed Him, Jesus, as the arbiter between the brothers. Then Jesus continued with a teachable moment about greed.
That teaching session started with a warning. “Beware,” He began, “keep away from covetousness.” Many modern translations use the word “greed” instead of “covetousness.” The latter word connects more clearly with one of the Ten Commandments, which starts out: “Thou shalt not covet” and then lists some things we shouldn’t covet. I can’t tell you the last time I used the word “covet” in conversation, but “greed” is a common term. Unfortunately, the word “greed” is mostly associated with money. Jesus, however, cautions against all types of greed, though prompted by a request for a fair share of inheritance.
Covetousness is typically defined as a strong desire for something that belongs to another person. In the commandment God gave against coveting He gives examples of someone else’s house, spouse, servant, and livestock, adding “or anything else that belongs to your neighbor” (see Exodus 20:17). The focus is what could be broadly categorized as possessions.
I think it’s helpful to think beyond stuff when we consider covetousness and greed. In defense of that, consider the point Jesus made in verse 21. Here the caution is to not focus on storing up things for ourselves but instead being rich toward God. Rather than being greedy, Jesus admonished His listeners to build spiritual wealth. This aligns with other comments Jesus made about storing up treasure in heaven (verse 33) and seeking first the things of God (verse 31).
It is human nature to want more. Ancient Mystery’s Voice in the recorded words of Jesus, directs each of us to want more in our relationship with God as an alternative to yearning for more treasures in our mortal lives. In this way, a longing for what we don’t have can serve as a cue to seek more of what we need in our spiritual lives. When greed comes calling, that sneaky voice demanding “more” can prompt a prayer heavenward: Lord, send me more of You.
Living in Mystery
What does it mean to live in the mystery of greed, understanding what to do about our incessant yearning for more? First it means recognizing that the longing for more is woven into our human nature and, with it, a restlessness towards wanting what we don’t have. We can strive for contentment, but it will be an ongoing endeavor with an elusive goal.
Next, this mystery of greediness includes many forms. Beyond the typical desire for more and more money and possessions, greed can be expressed as a yearning for status, power, beauty, affirmation, and more. Just because we may or may not identify with Scrooge, doesn’t mean greed isn’t a troublesome pest in the recesses of our hearts and minds. This calls for personal examination using the questions: What do I desire beyond what I need? Am I behaving in selfish ways or holding bitter thoughts because of this yearning?
After identifying the greed each of us experiences, the next step towards better living is to redirect that longing towards the things of God. Greed, or a hunger for more, is better understood as a longing for the spiritual. Temporal stuff and mortal accomplishments will never satisfy the human need to connect with something greater, someone greater. When a yearning for more begins to pester you, use that as a signal to reach upward. Shift your yearning to seek more of the unseen. Grab a Bible when you are tempted to fill your Amazon cart with more stuff. Pray to be filled with more invisible riches, not more things for your closets.
Am I greedy? Yes. Are you greedy? Probably. The perpetual longing for more of what we do not have plagues every person. This inescapable vexation can serve as a reminder to turn our longing for more toward the divine. When greed comes calling, and it will, answer the door with a prayer.
Connecting with Mystery
Dear Lord of All Mystery, I confess to endlessly wanting more despite the abundance You have already provided. Show me where I am being greedy instead of grateful. Remind me to look to You when I yearn for more. Thank You for providing spiritual riches to satisfy me. Amen.
Notes from Dr. Mac
If you want to do your own investigation of any of the scriptures I use, I suggest you go to Bible Gateway. This free online version of the Bible allows a search of words or phrases in various translations. I encourage you to read the 12th chapter of Luke, verses 13 through 34.
Do you want more from my writing? I have three years of previous posts, which you can find at my ARCHIVE.
My very first post, from May 8, 2022, is Turn the Page. I have topically organized compilations of some of my previous work in the My Books section. And Mystery’s Voice is on Spotify.
Do you know someone who might enjoy receiving Mystery’s Voice? You can subscribe a friend or family member for free by adding an email address to my mailing list via the Subscribe button below.
I want to know what you’re thinking! You can email me at: Dear Dr. Mac or leave/send a message (see below). I love hearing from you!
Share this post