The poorest among us may be greedy most of the time. When we get something, it is usually not enough to be comfortable. So, we seek more "stuff" so we can be more comfortable. The problem for the richest among us is rarely selfishness, so even though they often are greedy for more stuff, they can soothe the guilty feelings by giving stuff away.
On a basic level, we humans depend upon others for our survival. Self-sufficiency is very rare. Starting with families, and then clans and tribes, we have learned to depend upon each other. Most people have skill sets that can be used to supplement the comfort level of others. And so, selfishness meets greed very nicely.
We marvel at the "stuff" that some people have -- stuff that just seems to flaunt their wealth. Who "needs" a collection of antique cars, for example. But they spend thousands of dollars acquiring, restoring and maintaining what is to most of us obsolete. What is the point? Could it be a way of redistribution of wealth?
Consider, for example, the original 1957 Chevy. The supply line to produce that car began a long time before the steel mills produced the frame. A multitude of workers received compensation in several continents to provide the raw materials. Then transportation workers got the materials to the factories. Each of these were compensated as well. The owners of plantations and mining companies sold those materials for a profit so they could buy stuff for their families.
By the time the car got to the showroom floor, hundreds of factory workers had been paid along the way. The factory has spent money to send the car to a dealer responsible for selling it. In some cases dealerships would buy stock, but often it was "on consignment." Sometimes "Clearance Sales" had to be used to recoup the cost of having the car on the lot. Mostly, though, the car was sold with enough left over for a profit. The salesman made his commission, and his family was able to live comfortably for another month.
Over time, the owner of the new car would spend thousands of dollars on maintenance for the car. He would pay mechanics, or parts dealers and even car washes. His hard earned wealth was being "redistributed' daily. And then, he recouped some of that when he traded the car in for a new one. The car would probably see another owner of a little lower class who would keep it for years. He would spend what he could in keeping in up, further distributing funds to providers of services and products used.
Finally, after three decades, the old car is spotted and bought by a collector. Depending on its level of disrepair, hundreds to thousands of dollars are put into this classic vehicle to make it look like it was as it rolled off the lot. The rich man who now owns the car spends hundreds of dollars in storage and display costs every month. These funds go to those of a lower class, who in turn buy stuff to provide a comfortable living for their families.
So where is the greed and/or selfishness in owning that restored classic '57 Chevy? Its survival for the last 60 years has provided the redistribution of hundreds of thousands of dollars through numerous years. Its value, upwards from $50,000, may seem like a lot based on its original price, but it hardly represents a fraction of the money that has exchanged hands over the years.
Let us not envy our rich neighbors who have these fine and sometimes fancy things. Consider instead how much the existence of these things has contributed to the well-being of those who have produced and maintained them. Meanwhile, we can learn to be content with what we have. In our having whatever we have, we ourselves redistribute the flow of wealth to countless others in all walks of life.
So, What do I know?
- Greed is a heart issue.
- Envy gets us nowhere.
- Economics is a study of the flow of wealth.
- Contentment is a beautiful thing.
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