It is said that the natural resources of the earth can feed five times the current population and yet half the people of the world go to bed every night either undernourished or starving. What is the main cause of world hunger? Is it unjust structures? Is it famine? Is it lack of political will? All these things certainly do not help. It seems to me that the real reason why so many people in our world go hungry is greed, human greed. The rich want to get richer, while the poor get poorer.
What are the philosophies which drive western society today? What are the philosophies which dominate western society today? I would suggest capitalism and consumerism. Capitalism is about making as much money as possible; consumerism is about spending as much money as possible. Both philosophies promote greed. Over the last number of years we have endured many public tribunals. Most of these tribunals have to do with irregularities in our financial institutions and practices. What is the reason for much of the dishonesty that has been exposed? It is difficult not to suspect that greed has a lot to do with it.
No wonder Jesus, the great wisdom teacher, gives us all a strong warning: “Watch, be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns even when he has more than he needs” (Luke 12:15). It is said that money is the root of all evil. Money certainly has the power to make us greedy and selfish. It can harden our hearts and destroy our relationships. The truth is we cannot take our money with us when we die. It will be no good to us in the presence of God. The only thing we can take with us into death is the love in our hearts. The love in our hearts is all God will look for. If our desire for money has made us greedy then we have condemned ourselves!