A comment elsewhere got me thinking of this topic again, I thought a person argued a lot of "American Christians" in their view often commit sins of greed. I eventually thought of this passage in Scripture:
> "For the desire of money is the root of all evils; which some coveting have erred from the faith, and have entangled themselves in many sorrows." 1 Timothy 6:10
The word "greed" isn't used there, but the "insight" I thought I had was that greed was what was being referred to here, as the "root of all evils". Thus this was making me think about how greed is handled or not today; I don't recall personally ever hearing a sermon about it even.
Frequently greed is thought to refer to people stealing, or cheating in some way, of taking things by force. That is one kind of greed, but greed is also wanting more than you need to some extent, even when there is no seeming victim (excess gains are thought to be morally for the poor, so the poor are thought to be victims in this view). The problem with desires is that they might tend to be endless, hence even "nonviolent" greed is a problem for that reason.
> "But having food, and wherewith to be covered, with these we are content." 1 Timothy 6:8
The Scripture seem to indicate a kind of "minimalist" approach to possessions, of only having whatever you need (in the example given, of food and clothing). It is acknowledged that strictly what a person "needs" may be subjective, and that for example the breadwinner of a large family might need to make a lot of money to provide for the needs of the family.
> "And one of the multitude said to him: Master, speak to my brother that he divide the inheritance with me. But he said to him: Man, who hath appointed me judge or divider over you? And he said to them: Take heed and beware of all covetousness; for a man's life doth not consist in the abundance of things which he possesseth. And he spoke a similitude to them, saying: The land of a certain rich man brought forth plenty of fruits. And he thought within himself, saying: What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said: This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and will build greater; and into them will I gather all things that are grown to me, and my goods. And I will say to my soul: Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years take thy rest; eat, drink, make good cheer. But God said to him: Thou fool, this night do they require thy soul of thee: and whose shall those things be which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God." Luke 12:13-21
What did the person do wrong here, other than to continue to profit rather than give to the Church or those in need the excess profits he was making? It doesn't sound like he was stealing exactly. This is I think the more deceptive greed that people get caught up in today, but I am curious what limits people think exist, beyond which would be considered to be greed.
The Haydock commentary on the above passage states:
> See in this the spirit of this world, at the very time Jesus is teaching disinterestedness, and the contempt of riches, he is interrupted by a man, who begs him to interfere in a temporal concern: deaf to every thing else, this man can think of his temporal interest only. (Calmet) --- He begged half an inheritance on earth; the Lord offered him a whole one in heaven: he gave him more than he asked for. (St. Augustine)
So it seems like a Christian attitude was supposed to be a bit indifferent towards material possessions beyond securing needs (or even perhaps a "contempt" or dislike of them).
So what in your view is the "liberal" spirit that is willing to give charitably, or the content spirit that does not envy what another has, that opposes greed and is free from the "slavery" to these kinds of desires for unnecessary gain?
