The document discusses the concept of greed and its impacts. While some have benefited greatly from greed, it leaves many behind and puts strain on global resources. True wealth is not defined by possessions alone. A passage from the Bible warns against greed and the fleeting nature of material wealth. A comment argues that as caretakers of God's creation, we should practice stewardship rather than view everything as ours to exploit solely for personal gain. Questions are raised about reconciling Christian teachings with the idea that "greed is good" and how an economy might differ if people lived more selflessly.

1. Need, not greed.

2. “Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.”

3. Greed is not working out for everyone, however…

4. The very wealthy have done very well Emmanuel Saez, University of California Berkeley

5. How many are left behind?

6. Most of the world’s resources are consumed by a few…

7. The U.S. has an outsized impact on the global environment

8. The world’s 25 wealthiest countries

9. Wealthiest countries ranked by income inequality

10. Greed works? It depends on where you sit. Courtesy Rev. Todd Weir, Blooming Cactus

11. For want of a better word 13Someone in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." 14But He said to him, "Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?" 15Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." 16And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive. 17"And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?'

12. For want of a better word 18"Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.19'And I will say to my soul, "Soul,you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."' 20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?'21"So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

13. The better word: “__________ is good.”

14. A thought “Stewardship means that we are really caretakers for God. We are to take care of the earth and its abundance, we are to use the land and its wealth wisely. We may benefit from its abundance, but must remember that everything really belongs to God. Greed arises from the belief that we are the sole owner of all that we have, when really everything we think we own ultimately belongs to God. It is all on loan to us for the short period of time we walk on this earth. We can benefit and enjoy God’s abundant world, but it is all a gift and must be used wisely and responsibly. " — Rev. Todd Weir, Blooming Cactus

15. Questions to consider What is the Christian response to the ideology that “greed is good?” What would we do differently if we fully lived by the principles of Luke 12? How would our economy operate differently? But wouldn’t a society of self-interested – greedy – people be motivated to care for their environment?