I’ve read quite a bit over the last few years about how the left is eliminating religion and thus a sense of “right vs. wrong”. That liberalism has trumped morality and created a complex system of government dependency. That the left is brainwashing our kids to believe that virtue signaling is more important than being virtuous.

After careful study, I believe that “those who would be king” have simply mastered the art of using greed as a weapon.

1 Timothy 6:10 tells is that “the love of money is the root of all evil,” and I believe that the current state of the U.S.A. is proof positive of this scripture. Can we first agree that greed is the "love of money"? I find no better description!

GREED ROBS US OF…

BEING CONTENT

The concept of “contentedness” is no longer valued in our society. In fact, if you are in an executive-level corporate position, contentedness equals death to your career. But being content actually fuels your sense of peace, leaves time in your life for the really important things—like family relationships—and keeps you thankful for each and every gift of the day that keeps you fed, sheltered, and clothed.

The relentless pressure of modern advertising…especially that facilitated by online shopping and AI…drives many to the point of never having enough. If you have safe, reasonable living conditions, why do you really need the latest stone countertops and a walk-in shower that can accommodate a party of six?

Being at the hippest restaurant for dinner is much more posh than having spaghetti at home around the dinner table, but does it make you happier? As long as your vehicle gets you where you need to go and doesn’t cost more in repairs than a new one, isn’t it good enough?

FEELINGS OF ACCOMPLISHMENT

Setting a goal and reaching it is one of the best feelings in the world. Your sense of accomplishment is built upon having met the challenge, persevering, and being able to trust yourself to stay focused on the goal. Each small accomplishment creates an unbendable feeling of self-confidence and worthiness.

But our current social condition will always tell you that your goal was “so yesterday” and not good enough for today. If it’s not instant, it’s not worth having.

By giving participation trophies, our children are not taught the valuable lesson behind failing at a goal, and those lessons are what pave the road to future success.

Our society constantly puts us in the position of being compared to another, rather than valuing the internal character of the individual.

A CHARITABLE SPIRIT

Charity is one of the greatest indicators of the true man. Helping another who is in need, whether that be financial, emotional, or physical, is another point that provides us evidence of value and self-worth.

When we are forced to be “charitable” through schemes and programs dished out by the government, we are no longer personally responsible for charity. And many use this as an excuse to ease our conscience at this lack of charity, believing that “they got theirs”. This centralized giving also creates a break between us and our local communities. This “corporate” giving does not produce the same sense of sacrifice and selflessness of true charity.

The world would have us judge each other’s charitable spirit by a willingness to support and adhere to top-down funding for very human issues, but these are never successful and will never yield the kind of healing associated with individuals helping individuals.

The current worldview tries to replace all of these character-building traits by amassing wealth and having more. It has resulted in a Wall Street that no longer protects by trading on opportunity to own, but makes promises of more treasure. Our neighbors are selling their businesses and/or land to China because they can become millionaires. We’re penny-wise and pound foolish, which is ultimately unsustainable for a person, a family, a community, and a nation.