What truly drives us to desire more than we need? Not merely more, but much more.
Behind greed, there is often not so much a desire for wealth as fear: fear that tomorrow, a month from now, or a year from now, we may be living in deprivation and poverty. And so we accumulate possessions.
Yet the more we have, the more afraid we become of losing it. We therefore seek to protect ourselves and separate ourselves from others. We want even more because we believe that greater wealth also provides greater security. We buy security systems, build high fences, while nations accumulate weapons in much the same way.
The more we have, the less happy we may actually become. We grow increasingly fearful, distrustful, and convinced that others pose a threat to us. We begin to see danger in those who have almost nothing. The poor, migrants, foreigners, and those who are different become threats in our eyes.
At the root of greed, then, lies fear: fear of deprivation, of the future, of loss, and of other people. Yet accumulation will not free us from fear and insecurity. On the contrary, it will only deepen them.
Trust and Prosperity
How can we break out of this vicious cycle?
If we ensured a fairer distribution of goods, not only within our local communities but also globally, people would feel safer and more content. They would trust others more, while the fear of deprivation would diminish. There would consequently be less need to accumulate wealth.
If goods were shared more fairly, we would not have to strive so relentlessly for wealth, because even in difficult times we could rely on others' support. We would know that we would not be left alone in times of need.
Our mutual trust would also grow. We would no longer view others primarily as competitors, but as fellow human beings, friends, and members of a community who help one another.
When everyone has enough, we are all truly wealthy.
