James 5: ' What is Greed? '

[Masterblaster]

Hello

James 5 - "You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you"

Look at this!

The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran
"And what is fear of need but need itself?
Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, the thirst that is unquenchable?"

How would you describe greed?
Is greed morally 'bad'? Why?
Is greed , self-defeating?
Is an afterlife retribution, a sufficient social deterrent, against the workings of greed?
Do we Legislate properly regarding greed.
Is the legitimacy of greed enshrined in our primate psyche?
Are you greedy?

[bjs1]

Hello

Hi.

How would you describe greed?

The intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food.

Is greed morally 'bad'? Why?

From the Christian perspective selfishness (lacking consideration for others) in all forms is bad. Its opposing attribute, love, is our highest virtue.

Why something is morally good or bad is a much longer discussion.

Is greed , self-defeating?

No, a person who focused mainly on attaining wealth or power might successfully attain wealth or power. Greed is not a guarantee of success, but neither is it self-defeating.

Is an afterlife retribution, a sufficient social deterrent, against the workings of greed?

There is a great deal of empirical evidence which suggests it is not.

Do we Legislate properly regarding greed.

I have no idea.

Is the legitimacy of greed enshrined in our primate psyche?

To some degree, yes.

Are you greedy?

More than I would like to be.

[Masterblaster]

Thanks bjs1

Matthew 6:25 "Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"

For a Christian ,the responses to these OP questions ,should reflect the sentiments of Matthew 6:25.
There should be little ambivalence or ambiguity.
There should be a definite push against Greed.
Christian's get alot of flak for their shuffling in this area.

I see it like this.

A Christian should have a very frugal lifestyle. If they earn good salaries or inherit accumulations of wealth, they should be using these saved resources for innovative and inspirational ventures.

I do not see it. Why? The directive is plainly stated!

[bjs1]

I do not see it. Why? The directive is plainly stated!

To be fair, in that same sermon Jesus said, “Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them.” He specifically mentioned giving to those in need.

So you criticize Christians because you do not see their acts of generosity, but it seems there would be an even harsher criticism if you did see it.

[Masterblaster]

Hello bjs1

There is hardly a point there for you. See one if you wish. Do you agree with this statement?

Christians should have frugal lifestyles!

Yes or No? Why?
( sparing or economical as regards money or food. plain, non-extravagent, cheap, etc)

Thanks

[Masterblaster]

Hello

Matthew 19:23 ( and another Jesus ' Masterclass')

" It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

This scripture is an often used classic. With optical dexterity it is very easy to get a camel to travel through the eye of a needle.

This Scripture is not a trick!

The rich man in the passage had done most everything that was reasonably to be expected....but it still, was not enough. The demands on a true follower of the Jesus teachings is directly commensurate with the resources at the disposal of the person in question. This story stands as an ethical opposite to the widows Temple offering. She has paid the fare in its entirety.

This is very advanced ethics, and very non-secular in tone. In the real world, a rich man pays the same for a bar of chocolate as does a poor man.

The Kingdom of God is a vocationary undertaking by a person, regardless of your monetary status. You have specific things to do.

Christianity makes little economic sense for a true participant. It advises a monetary mindset that demands frugality.

If Christian's do not undertake this bare regime and follow it to its conservative conclusions, then they would appear to be paying lip-service to what they profess. The whole Kingdom of God endeavour does not work.

Look at the opulent extravagance that is part and parcel of the Catholic Infra-structure in this world, from the Vatican down. Look at the regalia of their Hierarchy, look at their monetary reserves. This is a highly successful franchise, to their credit, but it projects a message that is essentially different from the message to the marginalized poor, that was it's origin.

Perhaps there is truth in the scripture that you cannot serve Money and God?

Buddhism suggests the same ethics, without the straitjacket of apologies.
Thanks

[1213]

How would you describe greed?
Is greed morally 'bad'? Why?
Is greed , self-defeating?
Is an afterlife retribution, a sufficient social deterrent, against the workings of greed?
Do we Legislate properly regarding greed.

I have understood that greed is a desire to have more than what is good and fair. And I think it is a form of fear. And fear is not good leader. I think all necessary legislation is in love your neighbor as yourself.

[Masterblaster]

Hello

Matthew 9

16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

The emphasis on the necessity of proper ' mind-set', is nothing new in Jesusism. You cannot proceed as if nothing happened. You cannot retreat into old sanctuaries when things get tough. You have to struggle against reverting to type.

This is a cross, a cross-trainer for improvement. This is a gym programme where your current levels are ,what they are. Their relevance is in the trajectory that they indicate. Are you on track?
Are you becoming less greedy or is your life becoming a claustrophobic series of needless acquisitions.

You cannot take it with you, unless you are a Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. You can leave good deeds and fond memories behind you.

[Masterblaster]

Hello 1213

You say - "I have understood that greed is a desire to have more than what is good and fair. And I think it is a form of fear. And fear is not good leader. I think all necessary legislation is in love your neighbor as yourself."

----
There is often deep consequence to your theistic submissions, and I thank you for them.

You agree that Greed eminates from fear....

The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran
"And what is fear of need but need itself?
Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, the thirst that is unquenchable?"

This leads to a follower of Jesus regarding greedy people (generally), as being worthy of our sympathy and help. They can be influenced and informed towards better.

There are different implications for a Jesusism follower, who is fundamentally, greedy.

Yes you have human weakness to grabble with but this frailty is compounded by a genuine display of unfaithfulness. You do not, truly trust the directive.

Humility and honest disclosure is the way out of this troubled state and not defensive denial and face-palming.
Thanks

[bjs1]

Hello bjs1

There is hardly a point there for you. See one if you wish. Do you agree with this statement?

Christians should have frugal lifestyles!

Yes or No? Why?
( sparing or economical as regards money or food. plain, non-extravagent, cheap, etc)

Rather I would say that Christians should be generous, using their material resources, skills and time to help others. A certain degree of frugalness is required to achieve this goal. However, being frugal is means to an end, not the goal itself.