Greed is one of those ineffable qualities that we rightly ascribe to human nature; it is not present in the lower orders of the animal kingdom of which we are members. For, in the end lions and tigers, bears and all other animals are only being what they are; they are not "vicious" or "greedy"; they are what they are. Greed is a part of our human nature which part is animal to a given degree; the fact that we recognize it in our discussions and debates is proof unspoken that we know that there are indeed better ways to live than as so many violent beasts. All of these ineffable qualities greed, avarice, thoughtfulness, generosity, cowardice, bravery, caprice, altruism et al., are what makes us so peculiarly human among all of the animals. Human nature is consistent in all times and in places of human history in that it has displayed all of these qualities in all ways; this is inarguably so and exists as a fact in history. To deny or seek to deny "any" of these qualities to humanity in general or in specifics is to deny man's basic free will, and to deny his basic humanity.
The word "greed" is a word that is indeterminate in its qualities; it cannot be rationed or quantified in any reasonably logical senses, so much so that it is legally incapable of a definition that satisfies all parties to any question. Greed is as much determined by the mores and culture of a society as it is determined by personal attitudes and juidgments. Therefore "greed" is a considered valued judgment. Anyone who says otherwise or who purports to define by any lexicon, in reality, is a fool for a teacher, an idiot for a thinker, and a lair if he tries to make others believe him. The "Fathers" of our faith in the Old and new Testaments are silent on the definition of "greed" and rightfully so. They pronounce on its effects and condemn it, but in the end they are silent on it, even our "Messiah". What they all say is, though, that "greed" is a Sin. Greed is a great sin of the Spirit against God; it is the Sin of ingratitude against the Father who has given each and every one of us general gifts of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and safety and particularly gifts to each and every one of us that are particular to each one of us only. It is saying to the father: '...no thank You this is not enough...". Greed can be forgivable among men, but I do not know that it is forgivable by God because it is such a great sin of Spirit, ingratitude. Often as not, those who preach against the wealth of individual people, against "too much money" for some and not enough for "the people" are likened unto Pharisees. On the outside they are gleeming and white; they are seemingly pure and beautiful; they have salvific visions that will "save us all". They stand in our asemblies beating their breasts crying "...Lord, Lord..." all the while blocking the doors to the temple letting no one in because they are really full of dead men's bones and rotting and are themselves filthy, vile and hypocritical. They are themselves "greedy" and they mask it by making that which is political moral, and moralize upon that which is essentially political.
This is my pronouncement on "Greed"; if it causes derision, contempt, cynicism, or offends I do not care.
You have asked and I have spoken.
Anchor's Away/Semper Fi
CPO Bull
