Greed is a powerful motivator. Defined, the word means “an intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food.”
Worry, on the other hand, is a very different emotional state. If greed is “intense, selfish desire,” worry is “a state of anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems.”
They are different, but I’m starting to recognize they might have more in common than we think. Because, in many regards, they produce the same negative outcome in our lives.
Greed and worry have the same effect: The accumulation and possession of more things for ourselves than we need. And subsequently, the missed opportunity and joy of giving to others.
Both worry and greed keep us from living our best lives in the same way.
From the outside, we recognize greed as blatantly negative, maybe even evil. It is something we assign to others, but rarely see in ourselves. Greed has far too many negative connotations to ever assign the motivation to our own hearts and minds.
Worry, on the other hand, is rarely seen as such a negative emotion. In fact, we sometimes use the phrasing with pride, “Oh, I’m just a worrier.” Or perhaps even more frequently in passing, “I’m just worried that…..”
Worry, you see, is more culturally accepted than greed.
Worry is seen as prudent and wise, even thoughtful at times. But don’t be fooled, there is a likelihood it is producing the exact same result in our lives as greed and selfishness.
It keeps our fists tightly clenched on money and possessions.
It seems to me there are only two reasons that keep people with means from being more generous with their money and possessions. Either 1) they intentionally want to keep as much for themselves as they can (greed), or 2) they are so worried about the future they can’t imagine giving away money or time to someone else (worry).
Two very different emotional states… but the same result.
We would benefit from recognizing their presence in our lives. And taking intentional steps to overcome them.
If either condition is present, the antidote is to intentionally pursue their counterparts: selflessness and hope.
Through selflessness, we give ourselves to others. We take the very resources (time, money, energy, talents) used for selfish gain and spend them on someone else.
Selflessness is often overlooked as a key to happiness and living our best life because it appears to run contrary to the very notion. But only when we embrace service and selflessness do we find lasting significance. Selflessness benefits the receiver and it benefits the giver. It is the ultimate win-win situation.
Hope, on the other hand, is the counterpart to worry. While worry brings anxiety by focusing on the problem, hope directs our attention to the solution. It allows us to see the obstacle through a different lens and replaces debilitating worry with life-giving expectation.
It frees us to become generous and giving. When we worry less about what we will eat or drink in the future, we open our eyes to those around us who are unable to eat today. And we are freed to give out of our excess.
May each of us live our lives to their greatest potential. And may we no longer allow greed or worry to keep us from them.
Jane zendarski says
Thank you for the great post on the similarities of outcomes with worry and greed!
Louise de Villiers says
Wow, this is the best and most powerful piece I’ve read from you. Thank you!
I’d love a little more on changing ‘worry’ to ‘hope’.
God bless you.
Jeremiah says
Thanks for sharing this post. I’ve personally dealt with fear and anxiety. I know that every person’s experience is different. For myself and my experience, it’s been healing for me to look outside of myself to see how I can walk alongside others dealing with fear or worry. When I’m there for others, it just seems to strengthen me.
Marie says
How does your theory apply to a single mom who worries about paying her rent? Or for someone with an anxiety disorder? It incorrect and cruel to suggest that everyone’s worries are trivial…Or that those with mental health challenges will feel better if they give away their stuff. Perhaps we should treat depression by decluttering?
Todd says
Marie, I agree that there is a limit to the analogy. Those with a diagnosed mental disorder need to address that first, no amount of decluttering will help. Myself and one of my children struggle with anxiety.
Worry about providing necessities is a challenge facing many people. I am a financial counselor and see this all the time. Does worrying about it help? Probably not, but it does sound trite if someone says, stop worrying. I don’t think Joshua was trying to oversimplify this to that point.
Marie says
Thank you for your thoughtful comment Todd. Anxiety is such a severe, and life limiting mental health issue (as you know). Most of us who live with severe anxiety know all too well that it is a hindrance (as Joshua points out in his post). However, it is too often trivialized, and I do feel that he is doing that here. I have no doubt his intentions are good, but I think he’s missed the mark here. Take care, and thanks again for your comment.
joshua becker says
Thanks for the feedback Marie. I have good friends who suffer from anxiety. And I purposefully did not use the word in this article.
Marie says
Hello, I appreciate your clarification. Perhaps this is a problem with language — “worry” may mean something different to those who haven’t suffered from anxiety. For me, it’s hard to separate out “worry” from “anxiety” — as worry is what fuels my anxiety. And if I worry about my “stuff” it’s only because stuff gives me a sense of security that is not borne out of selfishness but a need for comfort and order.
Thanks for the thought provoking post.
Kay Novotny says
Marie, Joshua says this: “It seems to me there are only two reasons that keep people WITH MEANS from being more generous with their money and possessions.” (Capitalization mine.) Obviously, he recognizes that some people who are struggling financially and in other ways cannot necessarily contribute money, time, or talents in the ways that others can, nor is he suggesting that any particular person’s worries are trivial. And he was not addressing mental health challenges, either. I think he is generalizing here that many people, especially in the U.S., are so distracted by the culture-driven drive to acquire possessions or the worry about keeping what possessions they have that they cannot help others. Clutter CAN often exert an oppressive hold on a person, making it hard to even relax in one’s own home. Mental health is extremely complex; it is beyond the scope of this short article of Joshua’s to cover every person’s needs. He is a caring person (building homes for orphans + helping others to live intentionally). Please don’t think that these short comments of his are the totality of his message.
Marie says
I hope my comments are not seen as a criticism of the man himself or his body of work — I’m trying, perhaps poorly, to point out that “worriers” are often judged unkindly in our culture. I feel this article veers in that direction.
joshua becker says
There are many people who could be more active in generosity, but they are not because worry compels them to keep more than they need for themselves. In this way, the outcome is no different than those who are greedy. That was the point I was trying to make. Does that mean everybody who worries also has the means to give away money and time? Of course not. But I think the percentage is higher than most of us recognize and my hope was to help some realize that about themselves.
Patricia Devine says
I know that I am guilty of this. I was brought up to expect that life will get worse in the future, so I’d better hang on to what I’ve got right now (even if I don’t need or use it). My parents suffered through a Depression and then a war that killed their friends and bombed out their houses. Afterwards, it took years for them to obtain even the basics and they had to do hard menial labour that destroyed their health. It made them selfish and they encouraged that in all of us children.
Todd Macaulay says
Thank you for writing about Greed and Worry. Jesus connected these two emotional states, as well. In Luke 12, he transitions from the parable of the rich fool storing treasures on Earth into discussing anxiety. He ends the discussion on anxiety by telling people to “Sell your possessions and give to the poor.” Luke 12:33
DeAnna Wilson says
Luke 12 was in my Bible reading today. Great observation!
Hazel says
This was interesting to read and
surely good food for thought. I
believe in helping others to a point. Here we have the question
of so called nice neighbours, friends or even family members,
who make a habit of knocking on
soneone,’s door ( meaning the
door of ones heart here) to expect
a favour. Like teaching their two
teenagers English for roughly
about 30 hours each ( total 60).
This neighbour and partner own
a house and car. Myself neither.
Now I believe help is like one
deposits help/time whilst the other
is just withdrawing from the skills
of someone. Only to be given a
pot of homemade watery jam
jelly type of thing and two small
boxes of macaroons in each over
almost a six month period. They
even tried to get a free plane
ride on my friends PC13 private
jet. They offered to pay something. Yet flying in a private
jet comes at a price with prices
not controlled by the jet owner
but at prices set by the Aviation
Private Jet Authorities. When
I confirmed it was not at all
possible, they were not exactly
pleased. Now I have learnt not
to let people take advantage of
my time. Surely more giving
should have come on their behalf
and not just taking. So now I
keep my distance from these folk,
but naturally greeting them in
passing. If they ask for my help
i just say I am busy. Which is true.
Being a Swiss pensioner, I want
to enjoy my time and our beautiful
country hiking or whatever. Would
be interested to hear the opinion of others on my points covered
here. Many thanks.
Steven Crisp says
I also thought this was an excellent and thought provoking article. Great food for thought. And watch one’s ego reacts to the various implications!
As to Hazel’s observations I would like to make a couple of points. First, I just adore Switzerland, and would agree under any circumstances, please enjoy your retirement and your beautiful country, and our favorite thing, alpine hiking!
As to your “greedy” neighbor, I would only observe that true giving of oneself must come from a place of enjoyment in the act itself. These interchanges can change character completely once they become transactional. The expectations lead to hurt feelings, as you have observed.
One antidote I have found for feeling taken advantage of is to reflect back on my life for those times someone gave to me more than I had given to them, and frankly, when I look hard enough, I see it everywhere. From the scout leaders who donated their time, to the business leaders who took chances on me, and gave me opportunities, to the neighbors where we seem to frequently congregate. It’s seemingly everywhere once I look for it ;-)
The lesson I keep trying to learn is “Give often, give generously, and give without expecting anything back in return.” I’m convinced the universe will conspire to reward you with even more gifts in return. It just seems to work out that way. And even if it doesn’t, you will be making the world a better place for everyone! Above all, enjoy the process!
Kay Novotny says
Thank you, Steven Crisp, for your observations and the encouragement to give without thought of expecting anything in return. My mom had a saying, “No good deed goes unpunished,” which is true at times. (Not sure where she got that quote.) Yes, sometimes we don’t even get a “thank you,” and we may even get a mean or ungrateful response. But I think that, more often, our good deeds may be paid forward, so that we even though we may not see anything reciprocal after our good deed, that receiver of our kindness may be inspired to help out someone else down the road.
Naz says
Thank you for this – I am currently going through a redundancy process and have uncertainty in my future. This has opened my eyes and reminded me of hope, and changed my day for the better.
Judy says
Never would have thought of it this way! True and profound.
Ana says
I’ve never thought about the similarities in greed and worry. And the anecdote being selflessness and hope. I’ll definitely reflect on this today. Thank you.
Cara says
Thank you. Saving this one.
Linda says
Great thought provoking post!
Holly Scoular says
This is a life changing post for me. Still cogitating on this one…..and will be for a fair bit….
Karen Ciesar says
sooooo true
My Mother, for whome I am a caregiver ( Parkinsosn) is a worrier, When she worries about my children I always feel like she is cursing them instead of blessing them. Certainly a worrisome comment always steals a but of energy from me
It’s a habit that she seems to feel perfectly entitled to
Any Suggestions??
Mari R says
Parents very unlikely listen to their children especially when the issue is a personal mindset.
Karen, you need someone who understands and supports you.