It is said that the natural resources of the earth can feed five times the current population and yet half the people of the world go to bed every night either under nourished or starving. What is the main cause of world hunger? Is it unjust structures? Is it famine? Is it lack of political will? All these things certainly do not help. It seems to me that the real reason why so many people in our world go hungry is greed, human greed. The rich want to get richer, while the poor get poorer.
A number of years ago I spent a short time in Nigeria. My sense of Nigeria then was of a country full of contradictions. These contradictions were probably best summed up in a statistic offered to me at the time: Nigeria is one of the most religious countries in the world, but it is also one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Nigeria has enough natural resources to provide its people with a decent standard of living. But most of the money made from Nigeria’s resources is going straight into the pockets of her politicians many of whom are millionaires. The cause of Nigeria’s corruption is greed.
But let us look at our own so called western world. What are the philosophies which drive, in fact dominate, western society today? Capitalism and consumerism. Capitalism is about making as much money as possible; consumerism is about spending as much money as possible. Both philosophies promote greed. Over the last number of years we have endured many public tribunals. Most of these tribunals have to do with irregularities in our financial institutions and practices. What is the reason for much of the dishonesty that has been exposed? It is difficult not to suspect that greed has a lot to do with it.
No wonder Jesus gives us all a strong warning: “Watch, be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns even when he has more than he needs” (Luke 12:15). It is often said that money is the root of all evil. One thing is sure. Money has the power to make us greedy and selfish. Another thing is certain. We cannot take our money with us when we die. It will be no good to us in the presence of God. The only thing we can take with us into death is the love in our hearts. This is all God will look for. If our desire for money has made us selfish then we have condemned ourselves!