What is Greed?

 

Greed is defined as an intense and often excessive selfish desire for something, typically wealth, power, or possessions. It manifests as an insatiable craving that can lead individuals to prioritise their own interests above all else, sometimes at the expense of others. Greed is not limited to material possessions; it can encompass a wide array of desires, including:

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• Life: A relentless pursuit of longevity or experiences that may lead to neglecting the well-being of others.

• Health: An obsession with personal health and fitness that can overshadow the importance of community and collective well-being.

• Wealth: A strong desire for financial gain, often resulting in unethical behaviour or exploitation of others.

• Power: The quest for control and influence, which can lead to manipulation and oppression.

• Fame, Honour, and Glory: The pursuit of recognition and status, often driving individuals to compromise their values or integrity.

• Food: An excessive craving for indulgence that can lead to health issues and a disregard for those in need.

• Children: A desire for offspring that can sometimes result in neglecting their emotional and developmental needs in pursuit of personal ambitions.

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Greed can have profound implications not only for the individual but also for society as a whole. It often leads to inequality, corruption, and a breakdown of social bonds. Understanding greed and its manifestations is crucial for fostering empathy, cooperation, and a sense of community.

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Why is Greed Important?

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Greed can play a beneficial role in certain situations. It can drive us to become more motivated and focused on achieving success in whatever path we choose, whether it leads to harm or good. For instance, if someone has a strong desire to serve, honor, and glorify their Creator to the fullest, as well as to assist humanity, their greed—or 'intense desire'—for success in this realm can actually help them transcend the greed for material wealth. This motivation can inspire them to give beyond their own needs to those who require assistance. The greed that once helped them accumulate worldly riches (based on their previous definition of success) can be redirected towards serving a Higher Purpose by simply redefining what 'success' means to them.

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The key question is: what is the 'intention' behind our greed? Is it solely a selfish desire, or is it selfless? Is it to serve ourselves or to serve a Higher Purpose that benefits humanity? At times, it may seem like our desires are in conflict. One part of us craves material possessions, health, glory, fame, or power to live a more comfortable life, chasing temporary pleasures, while another part seeks these things to better serve our Creator and others. If balanced correctly, these opposing desires can help us transform the harmful potential of greed into a force that enables us and others to become more righteous, while allowing us to lead comfortable lives that facilitate our service to our Creator.

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There are certain aspects of life where personal growth might stagnate if we were content with our circumstances. Without advancing in these areas, how could we fully contribute to our communities? Thus, a desire or greed for knowledge, wisdom, understanding, love, and righteousness is essential for pursuing Truth and embracing Peace, ultimately making us more Just. The real question is—what do we choose to desire and why? What does 'success' mean to us? What do we define as our life's purpose and why? Can we ever achieve success without aspiring for it? Perhaps the only success achievable without selfish ambition is helping others achieve 'success' through self-sacrifice.

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How Can Greed Be Beneficial?

 

Many individuals struggle to find lasting inner peace, even when they possess wealth, fame, and health. Despite having much, feelings of depression and anxiety often persist. Greed can drive us towards selfish desires, akin to a thirsty camel seeking water in a desert, only to realize that the pursuit is ultimately unfulfilling. However, navigating this dark journey can lead to valuable insights that help us break free from greed's confines and illuminate our true potential.

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By reframing our greed into a quest for unconditional love and deeper connections—with both our Creator and others—we can transform it into a Higher Purpose. Learning from negative experiences associated with selfish greed allows us to transcend the limitations of ego, drawing us closer to our Source of Life. In this way, even greed can foster gratitude and enhance our understanding of our True essence.

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If greed motivates the pursuit of material wealth without violating laws or ethical boundaries, it can serve societal good. As long as this wealth is obtained legally and a portion is allocated to charitable causes, greed can contribute positively to the community. This approach ensures that wealth is not acquired through harmful means, such as fraud or exploitation, but rather through responsible and ethical practices.

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How does our Greed affect our Well-Being?

 

Greed, defined as an intense desire for wealth, power, or food, profoundly affects physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.

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Physical Wellbeing

The pursuit of greed often leads to unhealthy habits such as overeating and substance abuse, resulting in serious health issues like obesity, heart disease, and addiction. Additionally, the stress associated with greed can contribute to chronic conditions, including hypertension and anxiety.

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Emotional Wellbeing

Greed breeds feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction, causing individuals to overlook meaningful relationships. This neglect can lead to loneliness, anxiety, and depression, often exacerbated by unhealthy comparisons with others.

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Mental Wellbeing

Greed often clouds judgment and impairs decision-making, prompting choices that prioritize short-term gains over long-term wellbeing. It detracts from personal growth and fosters a toxic work environment where competition undermines collaboration.

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Spiritual Wellbeing

Greed for the temporary pleasures of this fleeting world disconnects individuals from their core values and beliefs, often conflicting with principles of generosity and contentment. This disconnection can result in a lack of purpose, distracting individuals from spiritual truths and their interconnectedness with others.

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So the effects of selfish greed are far-reaching, impacting various aspects of life. By addressing the underlying motivations for greed and cultivating gratitude, generosity, and meaningful connections, individuals can enhance their overall wellbeing.

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Greed for material wealth and worldly pleasures creates a fleeting sense of satisfaction that can lead to addiction. Without gratitude, individuals may rely on this temporary 'false joy,' resulting in deeper issues such as depression and anxiety. These emotions often stem from a yearning for self-mastery and righteousness, which can be clouded by doubt and fear.

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Conversely, a selfless pursuit of physical and spiritual blessings, driven by the intention to serve a higher purpose, can positively influence wellbeing. This altruistic form of greed is accompanied by gratitude and involves sharing blessings selflessly. Anxiety and depression may arise from selfish expectations or fears about not being 'good enough,' but these challenges can motivate individuals to persevere in their mission.

 

Selfish greed, fuelled by ego, drives individuals toward temporary pleasures, increasing the risk of addiction and moral corruption. This delusion distracts from the inner call for justice, peace, and truth, hindering meaningful connections with the Creator. As greed intensifies, hearts may harden, often requiring a significant event to break the cycle of addiction and restore clarity.

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How else does Greed harm us?

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Greed is a powerful and destructive force that can lead individuals to engage in harmful behaviors that negatively affect those around them. A greedy person often inflicts physical, emotional, and mental harm through various actions, including:

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• Bribery: Offering or accepting bribes undermines trust and integrity, leading to corruption in systems that should uphold justice.

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• Robbery: Stealing from others not only causes financial loss but also instills fear and insecurity within the community.

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• Fraud: Deceiving others for personal gain erodes relationships and damages reputations, leaving victims feeling betrayed and vulnerable.

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• Dealing with Interest: Charging exorbitant interest rates can trap individuals in cycles of debt, destroying their financial stability and well-being.

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• Inability to Control Anger: Greed can lead to explosive outbursts, causing emotional and physical harm to those in the vicinity.

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• Vengeance: A greedy mindset may foster a desire for revenge, perpetuating cycles of conflict and hostility.

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• Controlling Behaviour: Greed often manifests as a need to dominate others, stifling their autonomy and freedom.

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• Selfishness: Prioritising personal gain over the needs of others can lead to isolation and fractured relationships.

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These behaviours contribute to systemic injustices that affect personal, familial, and societal relationships. For example, a judge who accepts a bribe due to greed may deviate from the principles of Truth and Justice, compromising the legal system and harming the lives of those seeking fairness.

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Furthermore, the consequences of greed extend beyond individual actions. Consider the broader implications:

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• Conflict and War: Many wars and violent conflicts are fueled by the insatiable desire for more land, resources, power, fame, and glory. These conflicts result in countless lives lost and communities shattered.

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• Family Disintegration: Greed can tear families apart, as selfish desires lead to betrayal, infidelity, and ultimately, divorce. The emotional toll on children and family members can be devastating.

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• Social Inequality: Greed exacerbates social inequalities, creating divides between the wealthy and the poor, and fostering resentment and conflict.

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In conclusion, the negative impacts of greed extend far beyond the individual. They ripple through families, communities, and societies, resulting in injustice, conflict, and emotional turmoil. It is essential to recognize and address the consequences of greed to foster a more equitable and harmonious world.

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​What does Abrahamic Scripture teach about 'Greed?'

 

Jewish Scripture, encompassing the Tanakh and various rabbinic texts, provides profound insights into the concept of greed, often referred to in Hebrew as "beitzim" or "avarice." Throughout these texts, the moral implications and consequences of greed are addressed, emphasising the importance of ethical behaviour and community welfare over personal gain.

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In the Torah, particularly in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, there are numerous commandments that highlight the significance of justice and fairness in economic dealings. For instance, the prohibition against stealing (Exodus 20:15) and the commands to leave the edges of one's fields for the poor (Leviticus 19:9-10) reflect a societal framework that prioritises the needs of the community and discourages selfish accumulation of wealth. This illustrates a fundamental principle in Jewish thought: the idea that one’s wealth should not come at the expense of others.

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The prophetic literature, including the writings of Isaiah and Amos, further critiques greed and materialism. The prophets often condemned the wealthy elite who exploited the poor, emphasizing that such behavior is an affront to divine justice. For example, in Amos 8:4-7, the prophet denounces those who eagerly await the end of the Sabbath to resume their dishonest trading practices, highlighting a disdain for ethical conduct in favor of profit. This prophetic call serves as a reminder that greed can lead to social injustice and moral decay.

 

The wisdom literature, particularly the Book of Proverbs, offers practical guidance on the dangers of greed. Proverbs 28:25 states, "A greedy person stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched." This verse encapsulates the idea that greed not only harms interpersonal relationships but also disrupts the harmony of the community. It suggests that true enrichment comes from faith and ethical living rather than the relentless pursuit of wealth.

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Rabbinic literature, such as the Talmud, expands on these themes by discussing the ethical implications of wealth accumulation. The Talmud warns against the insatiable desire for more, illustrating how greed can lead individuals away from their moral obligations. The concept of "tzedakah," or charity, is emphasised as a counter to greed, encouraging individuals to share their resources and support those in need, thereby fostering a sense of communal responsibility.

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Jewish Scripture teaches that greed is not merely a personal vice but a societal ill that disrupts justice and harmony. Through various texts, the tradition advocates for a balanced approach to wealth—one that recognises the importance of ethical behaviour, community welfare, and the moral imperative to care for others. The teachings encourage individuals to seek fulfilment not through the accumulation of material possessions but through acts of kindness, generosity, and a commitment to social justice, ultimately reflecting a deeper spiritual truth that transcends mere financial gain.

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What does Christ teach about 'greed?' In the teachings of Jesus Christ, greed is often portrayed as a detrimental vice that can lead individuals away from spiritual fulfilment and towards a life of materialism and selfishness. Throughout the New Testament, Christ emphasises the importance of prioritising spiritual wealth over earthly possessions.

 

In the Gospel of Luke, for instance, Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool, a story that illustrates the folly of hoarding wealth without regard for one's spiritual well-being or the needs of others. The rich man in the parable focuses solely on accumulating goods for himself, ultimately facing the harsh reality that his life could be demanded of him at any moment, rendering his material gains meaningless.

 

 

In Matthew 6:24, Christ states, "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." This powerful assertion highlights the inherent conflict between the pursuit of wealth and the devotion to God, suggesting that greed can distract individuals from their faith and their responsibilities to their community.

 

Jesus encourages his followers to practice generosity and to share their resources with those in need, reinforcing the idea that true fulfilment comes from giving rather than accumulating. In Acts 20:35, it is stated, "It is more blessed to give than to receive," further emphasising the significance of selflessness and the dangers of greed. Through these teachings, Christ calls upon his followers to reflect on their values and to cultivate a spirit of generosity, compassion, and stewardship rather than one of greed and selfishness.

 

Ultimately, the message of Christ is clear: greed not only harms one's relationship with God but also disrupts the harmony within the community, urging believers to seek a life characterised by love, sharing, and a focus on eternal rather than temporal riches.

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The Quran addresses the concept of greed in various verses, highlighting its negative implications and the moral lessons associated with it. Greed, defined as an intense and selfish desire for more than is needed or deserved, is seen as a detrimental trait that can lead individuals away from righteousness and towards moral decay.

 

In several passages, the Quran warns against the excessive love for wealth and material possessions, emphasizing that such desires can distract a person from their spiritual duties and responsibilities. For instance, in Surah Al-Humazah (Chapter 104), it warns about those who hoard wealth and are consumed by their desire for more, indicating that this greed ultimately leads to their downfall. The imagery used in this chapter serves to illustrate the futility of such pursuits, as it suggests that the greedy will face severe consequences in the hereafter.

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The Quran encourages believers to practice moderation and generosity, urging them to share their wealth with those in need. Surah Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2) emphasises the importance of giving to charity and helping others, portraying generosity as a virtue that counteracts the destructive nature of greed. This teaching promotes a sense of community and social responsibility, reminding individuals that their wealth is not solely for their own benefit but should also serve to uplift and support others.

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The Quran teaches that true wealth is not merely measured by material possessions but rather by one's character and the good deeds one performs. In Surah Al-Taghabun (Chapter 64), it is stated that the real gain is in the obedience to Allah and the pursuit of righteousness, rather than in the accumulation of worldly goods. This perspective encourages believers to reflect on their priorities and to seek fulfilment through spiritual growth and moral integrity rather than through the relentless pursuit of material wealth.

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The Quran presents a comprehensive view on greed, portraying it as a vice that leads to negative consequences both in this life and the hereafter. By promoting values of moderation, generosity, and spiritual fulfilment, it guides individuals towards a more balanced and ethical approach to wealth and possessions. The teachings serve as a reminder that while striving for success and provision is important, it should never come at the cost of one's moral and spiritual obligations.

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How Can We Transform Our Selfish Greed?

 

Selfish greed often manifests as an insatiable desire for more—more wealth, more power, more recognition—at the expense of others and our own well-being. Transforming this greed into a more constructive force requires intention and effort. Below are several strategies that may assist in overcoming selfish greed:

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• Practice Self-Discipline: Engage in regular prayer or meditation to cultivate self-awareness. Reflect on higher values and virtues such as righteousness, empathy, and compassion. This practice can help align your actions with your moral compass.

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• Address Inner Conflicts: Confront your ego, greed, lust, envy, sloth, anger, vengeance, fears, and sorrows through self-analysis, logic, and reason. Understanding the root causes of these feelings can empower you to manage them more effectively.

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• Pursue Truth: Commit to expressing truth in your speech and behaviour, even when it challenges your self-interest. Honesty fosters trust and integrity, which are essential for meaningful relationships.

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• Strive for Enlightenment: Seek knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and love in every interaction. Approach life with curiosity and an open heart, allowing these values to guide your decisions and actions.

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• Aim to Serve: Shift your focus from seeking to be served to serving your Creator and His creation. Embrace a higher purpose by surrendering to a will greater than your own and adhering to the commandments of your One Creator and your inner truth.

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• Show Gratitude: Express gratitude to your Creator and others through words and acts of kindness. Share your blessings, gifts, and talents generously. Cultivate a mindset of abundance by viewing your glass as half full and comparing yourself to those less fortunate.

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• Commit to Social Justice: Uphold principles of justice as outlined in scripture and the law of the land, ensuring that your actions contribute to the well-being of society and do not harm others.

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• Earn Ethically: Pursue a livelihood that does not harm others. Avoid unethical practices such as theft, fraud, bribery, or charging excessive interest, and strive for integrity in all business dealings.

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• Invest in Charitable Causes: Allocate a portion of your legally earned wealth to charitable endeavours beyond personal needs. Support initiatives that feed orphans, assist widows, and help the needy, thereby making a positive impact in the lives of others.

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Can greed and gratitude coexist? Is there not an aspect of greed that can be transformed into a desire for gratitude? Perhaps the part of our soul that is 'grateful' for 'greed,' or 'greedy' for 'gratitude,' can unite to help us find inner peace. Despite the ingrained element of greed in our human nature, we can cultivate a mindset that emphasises gratitude and generosity, leading to a more fulfilling and harmonious existence.

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Here are some self reflection questions that may help us:

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Some Scripture verses about 'Greed'

 

 

They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, they seek their own gain. Isaiah 56:11

 

Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. Proverbs 11:28

 

Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow. Proverbs 13:11

 

Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. Proverbs 14:31

 

The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live. Proverbs 15:27

 

An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end. Proverbs 20:21

 

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1

 

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9

 

The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them. Proverbs 28:22

 

The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper. Proverbs 28:25

 

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:2-3

 

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

 

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

 

Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you. James 5:1-6

 

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Mathew 6:24 

 

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. Ecclesiastes 5:10

 

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

 

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15

 

I was enraged by their sinful greed; I punished them, and hid my face in anger, yet they kept on in their willful ways. Isaiah 57:17

 

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Proverbs 23:4-5

 

From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. Jeremiah 6:13

 

Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it. Proverbs 1:19

 

Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent. Exodus 23:8

 

Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay are those who gain riches by unjust means. When their lives are half gone, their riches will desert them, and in the end they will prove to be fools. Jeremiah 17:11

 

Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting bribes, who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against contemplating evil. They are the ones who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. Their bread will be supplied, and water will not fail them. Isaiah 33:15-16

 

A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign. Proverbs 28:16

 

The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them. Proverbs 28:22

 

Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies. Proverbs 23.6

 

A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. Proverbs 28:20

 

Though he heaps up silver like dust and clothes like piles of clay, what he lays up the righteous will wear, and the innocent will divide his silver. Job 27:16-17

 

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Mark 8:36

 

Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, setting his nest on high to escape the clutches of ruin! Habakkuk 2:9

 

for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. Psalm 49:17

 

And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.””But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ Luke 12:19-20

 

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15

 

Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Psalm 119:36-37

 

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! Proverbs 16:16

 

Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. Proverbs 15:16

 

Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. Proverbs 62:10

 

And do not consume one another’s wealth by unjust means, nor offer it as bribes to the officials in order to consume part of other people’s wealth illicitly, while you know. Quran 2:188

 

O you who believe, do not nullify your charities by inflicting reproach and insult, like one who spends his money to show off, while disbelieving in GOD and the Last Day. His example is like a rock covered with a thin layer of soil; as soon as heavy rain falls, it washes off the soil, leaving it a useless rock. They gain nothing from their efforts. GOD does not guide disbelieving people. The example of those who give their money seeking GOD's pleasure, out of sincere conviction, is that of a garden on high fertile soil; when heavy rain falls, it gives twice as much crop. If heavy rain is not available, a drizzle will suffice. GOD is Seer of everything you do. Quran 2:264-265

 

 

And for practicing usury, which was forbidden, and for consuming the people's money illicitly. We have prepared for the disbelievers among them painful retribution. Quran 4:161

 

 

They give money to charity only to show off, while disbelieving in GOD and the Last Day. If one's companion is the devil, that is the worst companion. Quran 4:38

 

Proclaim: "If your parents, your children, your siblings, your spouses, your family, the money you have earned, a business you worry about, and the homes you cherish are more beloved to you than GOD and His messenger,** and the striving in His cause, then just wait until GOD brings His judgment." GOD does not guide the wicked people. Quran 9:24

 

 

O you who believe, many religious leaders and preachers take the people's money illicitly, and repel from the path of GOD. Those who hoard the gold and silver, and do not spend them in the cause of GOD, promise them a painful retribution. Quran 9:34

 

 

Some of those before you were stronger than you, and possessed more money and children. They became preoccupied with their material possessions. Similarly, you have become preoccupied with your material possessions, just like those before you have become preoccupied. You have become totally heedless, just as they were heedless. Such are the people who nullify their works, both in this world and in the Hereafter; they are the losers. Quran 9:69

 

Do not be impressed by their money or their children; GOD causes these to be sources of misery for them in this world, and their souls depart as disbelievers. Quran 9:85

 

The usury that is practiced to increase some people's wealth, does not gain anything at GOD. But if you give to charity, seeking GOD's pleasure, these are the ones who receive their reward manifold. Quran 30:39

 

A portion of their money was set aside for the beggar and the needy. Quran 51:19

 

 

Know that this worldly life is no more than play and games, and boasting among you, and hoarding of money and children. It is like abundant rain that produces plants and pleases the disbelievers. But then the plants turn into useless hay, and are blown away by the wind. In the Hereafter there is either severe retribution, or forgiveness from GOD and approval. This worldly life is no more than a temporary illusion. Quran 57:20

 

Neither their money, nor their children will help them against GOD. They have incurred the hellfire, wherein they abide forever. Quran 58:17

 

"My money cannot help me." Quran 69:28

 

O you hidden secret.* Come out and warn. Extol your Lord. Purify your garment.*Forsake what is wrong. Be content with your lot. Steadfastly commemorate your Lord. Then, when the horn is blown. That will be a difficult day. For the disbelievers, not easy. Let Me deal with one I created as an individual.I provided him with lots of money. And children to behold. I made everything easy for him. Yet, he is greedy for more. He stubbornly refused to accept these proofs. I will increasingly punish him. For he reflected, then decided. Miserable is what he decided. Miserable indeed is what he decided. He looked. He frowned and whined. Then he turned away arrogantly. He said, "This is but clever magic! “This is human made." I will commit him to retribution. What retribution! Thorough and comprehensive. Obvious to all the people. Quran chapter 74

 

I solemnly swear by this town. The town where you live. The begetting and the begotten. We created the human being to work hard (to redeem himself). Does he think that no one will ever call him to account? He boasts, "I spent so much money!" Does he think that no one sees him?Did we not give him two eyes? A tongue and two lips? Did we not show him the two paths?He should choose the difficult path. Which one is the difficult path? The freeing of slaves. Feeding, during the time of hardship. Orphans who are related. Or the poor who is in need. And being one of those who believe, and exhorting one another to be steadfast, and exhorting one another to be kind. These have deserved happiness. As for those who disbelieved in our revelations, they have incurred misery. They will be confined in the Hellfire. Quran chapter 90

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Quaroon belonged to the clan of Moses, but he oppressed them. We had given him treasures, the keys of which would weigh down a group of strong men. His people said to him, “Do not exult; God does not love the exultant. But seek, with what God has given you, the Home of the Hereafter, and do not neglect your share of this world. And be charitable, as God has been charitable to you. And do not seek corruption in the land. God does not like the seekers of corruption.” He said, “I was given all this on account of knowledge I possess.” Did he not know that God destroyed many generations before him, who were stronger than he, and possessed greater riches? But the guilty will not be asked about their sins. And he went out before his people in his splendor. Those who desired the worldly life said, “If only we possessed the likes of what Quaroon was given. He is indeed very fortunate.” But those who were given knowledge said, “Woe to you! The reward of God is better for those who believe and do righteous deeds.” Yet none attains it except the steadfast. So We caused the earth to cave in on him and his mansion. He had no company to save him from God, and he could not defend himself. Those who had wished they were in his position the day before were saying, “Indeed, it is God who spreads the bounty to whomever He wills of His servants, and restricts it. Had God not been gracious to us, He would have caved in on us. No wonder the ungrateful never prosper.” That Home of the Hereafter—We assign it for those who seek no superiority on earth, nor corruption. And the outcome is for the cautious. Quran 28:76-83

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