Greed

I hate to admit it, but I'm greedy. I didn't think I was, but upon careful evaluation and introspection I have come to see the light.

Let me explain. I consider myself a simple person. If you were to see the car I drive, the clothes I wear, the house I live in, you would say that all of the above are modest by most people's standard. I don't wear any jewelry, not even a watch. But that's the me you see on the outside.

On the inside a different image often emerges. I used to eat regular hamburger, but now I prefer ground sirloin, a good steak, or prime rib. That's not sinful, is it? But greed shows up in the attitude I sometimes show when I have to settle for hamburger rather than prime rib.

I used to sit in the cheap seats at Wrigley Field (Cubs) or Cellular Field (White Sox). I thought I was enjoying the game until a friend treated me to his great seats a few rows behind home plate. Now I only go to games if I can get a good seat. Greed shows up in that I won't entertain a simple pleasure because I'd rather have something better. Don't even get me started about television sets.

I got to thinking of this because of the current business economic crisis. When you factor in that some of the biggest lending and investment institutions are in big financial trouble, you can only conclude that a big part of it has to do with greed. People spent money they didn't have, to buy things they didn't need to impress people they don't like. And the banks were all too eager to give it to them and the investment companies bought all the "bad paper" that underwrote most of those loans. Greed pure and simple.

I guess I'll have to take a step back and determine where I can eliminate greed in my life. I'll need to learn to be satisfied with things I can afford and not rob myself of simple pleasures waiting for something that I can't afford while what I can afford is right in front of me. And do I really need that which is in front of me? That's a matter for another blog post. I'll let you know when I am under enough conviction to write about that. :)