Greed Part 6
November 15, 2025
Greed Part 6
When we think of greed, we usually picture stinginess with money, possessions, or power. But I believe another, deeper kind of greed is perhaps the most profound. It is the withholding of ourselves, our hearts, and our presence.
Spiritual life means giving our authentic souls to others. Being greedy with our presence is not consistent with a spiritually abundant life. Spiritual giving goes far beyond sharing material things; it includes offering our attention, care, energy, and love. It is the willingness to be there for another.
When we withhold ourselves, we live an insular life, cut off from the nourishment of genuine spiritual connection. We save energy for sure, but we starve for the things only the warmth between souls gives us.
Giving of ourselves takes energy and vulnerability. It is often easier to give money than to give our hearts, but spiritual abundance blossoms only when we offer the fullness of who we are.
Ask yourself these questions:
Do I invest compassion, honesty, and affirmation in my conversations—or am I more focused on how I want them to go?
Do I show my humanity when I lead, or do I hide behind the image of the all-wise guide?
Do I open my heart to those I trust, or protect myself by withholding my feelings?
Do I give my full attention and warmth to those I work with, or hold back?
Do I greet others with genuine acceptance, or do I do it out of duty?
Do I make room for spiritual joy and optimism in my relationships, or rely on ego-driven enthusiasm?
Do I share my experience freely with those who struggle, or do I think, “Let them learn as I had to?”
Do I stay emotionally present in times of conflict, or do I retreat into silence?
Do I respect and support others’ ways, even when they differ from mine, or do I insist on offering my opinion, or withdrawing if they do not do as I wish?
Each question reveals a choice: to give of our spirit or to be stingy with it.
When we share our presence, we affirm the divine in others and awaken it in ourselves. This is Sacred Benevolence in action; the flow of love connects all souls.
Spiritual practice: Notice something someone else has that you might also desire. What part of yourself might this thing symbolize? Could it be pointing to a deeper quality of your soul that is already there?
Self-inquiry: What about greed unsettles you, and why?
Prayer:
Dear God, Keep me so rooted in your overflowing love that I never act from scarcity. Amen.
