THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF GREED

One of the hindrances to development and progress in the social life of most African families and communities is greed. Some of our religious, social, political and business leaders are motivated by naked ambition and greed. Greed for money and power is an anti-social behaviour.

Corporate greed is a recipe for national poverty. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines greed as a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (as money) than needed. It is actually an eager desire or longing, especially for more material wealth than one needs or deserves. Many African economies have been affected by leaders that are in it for power and wealth, and not to serve the nation.

We also see the same trend among spiritual leaders who are in the ministry with a perverted ambition for wealth and fame. Jeremiah 6:13 says in the English Standard Version of the Holy Bible, “For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely.”

Selfishness and greediness are anti-progress vices. Greed is actually a moral fault, which makes us indulge in degrading appetites. Greed deprives us of natural character, resulting in harmful habits of corruption and bribery. Greed and selfishness will always offend the moral standards of a family, community and nation. Greed has its roots in selfishness.

Farlex’s dictionary defines selfishness as, “the quality or state of being selfish; exclusive regard to one’s own interest or happiness, that supreme self-love or self-preference which leads a person to direct his purpose to the advancement of his own interest, power or happiness, without regarding those of others.” Greed and selfishness are wicked vices which make us so self-centred that we only become concerned chiefly or only with ourselves and our advantage to the exclusion of our families, communities and nation. Greed makes us opportunists, taking advantage of opportunities without regard for the consequences for others, or the nation at large.

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