We're shackled to what seems like a treadmill that is powered by greed. It takes us from the pursuit of one worldly acquisition to another without satisfaction. Whether the greed is for money, power or fame, we desire more of it. So our energy is spent on protecting what we have or in acquiring what we do not have yet. We become so preoccupied with trying to satisfy our greed that there is little time and energy left to strive for liberation.
A king built his empire by conquering people and places. He had accrued treasures from all over. Yet, before he died, he asked that everything that he amassed be displayed for him to see. For several hours he looked at gold coins, precious jewels and priceless objects.
Suddenly, he began to cry. He told his courtiers, "I have slain tens of thousands of people, causing thousands of women to be widowed and children orphaned for these objects. Yet not even the smallest piece of gold can go with me now that i am about to die".
He asked his courtiers that when they take his body to the burial place they should extend both his hands outside of the coffin. "I wish to let people know that with all my wealth, i left the world empty-handed. We cannot take any material thing with us", the king said.
Christ asked: "What does it profit a man to gain possession of the world, if one loses one's soul" (Mark 8.36).
Replace greed with detachment. While working hard to earn a livelihood, some amass great material wealth while others make do with meagre salaries. Whatever we receive we should accept in a spirit of detachment without becoming greedy. We can try for positions to make more money or put in more time to earn and still be detached from the results.
We can make use of whatever we earn to feed, clothe and house our family and share with others in need. But what we have should not be the object of our attachment. What we have arouses our greed. We spend all our time obsessively worrying about it, or when we hoard. If we use illegal means to gain more, or if we try to take from others what is rightfully theirs, it not only is a violation of truth, it is an expression of greed.
Analyse the cost of greed to the soul. Abou ben Adham was the king of Balkh. "What do you want?" asked Abou of a visitor who had a strange expression. "I am only stopping off at this inn", replied the stranger. "This is not an inn. This is my palace", replied the king. "Who owned this palace before you?" asked the man. "My father", said bou. "And who before him?" asked the man. "My grandfather", replied Abou. The dialogue continued in this strain. Finally, the stranger said, "To where have all these owners departed?" "They are all dead", said Abou.
"Then", concluded the stranger, "is this not an inn in which one person enters and another leaves?" This exchange led Abou to his search for God as he realised that worldly things were transitory and what was more important was finding the soul and God.
The joy of giving can surpass the happiness of receiving. In return, we can receive far more than we give. So stop being greedy; look for opportunities to give rather than take.
Happy Christmas to One and All !