Is It Greedy To Want More?

Is it greedy to want more? It’s a question I’ve been asking myself a lot recently. I’ve always grown up with an attitude of gratitude whilst always wanting more for myself and that’s not something that everybody understands. I’m sure you’ve heard it. “Why do you need X?” Why would you want X if you have Y?” or “Isn’t X enough?”.

It reinforces that we live in a world that constantly extols the virtues of contentment and gratitude, and leaves admitting a desire for more money as a taboo. But it shouldn’t be. Having aspirations for financial growth is not an inherently negative thing. So why are people shying away from admitting this desire?

Here are a few of the reasons I’ve come across during my financial consultations:

Many individuals are raised with the belief that it’s morally wrong to prioritise money over other aspects of life. And sure, this is true to an extent. But society often associates wanting more money with greed or materialism, which can lead people into feelings of guilt when openly expressing such desires.

Fear of Judgement

In a culture that emphasises humility and modesty, openly discussing financial aspirations can make one vulnerable to judgement and criticism from colleagues and family. This deepens the fear of being labelled as shallow or materialistic (even when you’re not) and can discourage people from admitting their true desires.

Comparison or Envy

With social media and daily conversations, it can be hard not to compare. Even if we’re perfectly content. But the constant comparison can lead to envy when seeing others’ apparent success. It’s okay to feel content with what you have whilst wanting what somebody else has. Admitting it to yourself is the first step, then you can look deeper to see why you want what they have. Is it based on reality or perception? Is it highlighting an area of yourself that you hadn’t explored before?

It can be hard to have these conversations with ourselves and admitting a desire for more money can make us feel like we’re revealing our envy of others which can feel shameful. But here’s the thing: wanting more money isn’t a bad thing.

It can be a sign of a healthy ambition to improve our lives. It can be leveraged to make a positive impact, enabling us to contribute to charitable causes, support our families, and invest in ventures that create jobs or joy. It can make us feel challenged and empowered, enabling us to achieve greater things.

But first, we need to be honest with ourselves. The desire for more money in life is a complex topic often influenced by societal norms, personal experiences, and a deeper yearning for fulfilment. But rather than viewing this desire negatively, we can recognize it as something that highlights our potential for growth, positive contribution, and personal empowerment.