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How much money do you need to be happy?
I’ve found that the most common answer is some variation of… “just a littleeeee more”
Just a little more in my savings account and I’ll be happy.
Just a little bigger house and I’ll be happy.
Just a slightly nicer car and I’ll be happy.
Just a couple more outfits, pairs of shoes, pieces of jewelry and I’ll finally be happy.
With this sort of mindset, we are always just out of reach of happiness.
Scripture has a LOT to say about the danger of greed. One passage warns us that loving wealth puts us in a perpetual state of dissatisfaction:
“Whoever loves money never has enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10
Greed is a threat to our health and happiness. It results in serious physical, emotional and spiritual consequences. Today I want to discuss how harmful greed is in our lives, as well as provide strategies to protect ourselves from its grasp.
Greed places us in a long-lasting state of discontent, driving chronic stress responses in the body. In times of discontentment, stress hormones like cortisol flood the system, contributing to a range of health issues including high blood pressure, weakened immune function, and cardiovascular disease.
Additionally, the constant pressure to accumulate more can lead to unhealthy lifestyle habits such as poor diet, inadequate sleep, and lack of exercise, further magnifying health problems.
A study published by the National Institutes of Health reported that greedy people are especially impulsive decision-makers. Impulsive decision-making frequently manifests in risky health behaviors (such as smoking, drinking, and reckless driving) and poor dietary choices (such as binge eating or cravings for processed foods high in sugar and salt).
Holding material gain as your primary focus can erode your mental and emotional resilience. It is known to fuel anxiety, depression and a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction.
In a society obsessed with status symbols and social media, it’s easy to fall into the trap of measuring our worth by the things we own or the achievements we’ve amassed. The relentless “more, more, more” attitude can create a cycle of comparison and competition which is SO DANGEROUS to our well-being! Not only does comparison deplete our self-esteem, but it can tear apart our relationships.
Another study published by the National Institutes of Health found that those who report the highest levels of happiness tend to have the strongest interpersonal relationships. In other words, strong social connections improve happiness more than wealth or material possessions.
Greed can drive a wedge between friends, family members, and colleagues, as individuals prioritize their own interests over the well-being of others. The pursuit of profit can overshadow empathy, compassion, and altruism, leaving us feeling isolated and disconnected from those around us.
What comes to mind when you hear the name Judas? Regardless of where you are in your faith journey, I have a feeling you know Judas is the man who betrayed Jesus.
But do you know why he betrayed Jesus?
Greed.
Scripture does not discuss Judas in-depth, but we do know that he was one of the original 12 apostles. He heard Jesus’ teachings and witnessed Jesus’ miracles. He was also in charge of the finances and John 12: 4-6 tells us that he often embezzled money for himself.
Judas fell to the temptation of greed. At some point, he decided that he needed more than God had given him. So, for 30 pieces of silver, he betrayed our Savior. This is the spiritual impact of greed – It turns our hearts away from God, the giver and provider of all.
No where in scripture does it say we should judge or condemn others. That job belongs to God alone. But Scripture does warn us, MANY times, to watch out for greed in our lives.
“Then [Jesus] said to them, Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Luke 12:15
Greed is a disease. Luckily, God has given us all we need to protect ourselves from it. Thankfulness, prayer, and reading your Bible are three of the most powerful antidotes.
I am a huge fan of using my workout time to center my mind on God. It can also be a time to practice thankfulness. Try out this 15 minute Be-Thankful workout for guided movements with reminders of the countless reasons we have to thank God.
The key to living a life of thankfulness is to recognize that all we have is a gift from God. When we proactively guard ourselves against greed, unlock the transformative power to cultivate greater happiness, health, and fulfillment.
What is one way you can begin to guard yourself against greed today?
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