Why do some people need so much money?

northernbadger4 said:Most of them probably just have deep-seated issues or complexes. Personally, I don't see the point in owning three yachts... or ten cars, five vacation homes, etc.

Though, if I actually had $100 billion, I know exactly how I'd spend it. 🙂 I certainly wouldn't waste it on cars, motorcycles, boats, or houses I don't need.

So if you aren't buying stuff, what on earth would you blow that much cash on?

I suspect that even Bill Gates and his associates wouldn't be in any position to engage in this kind of large-scale philanthropy if they hadn't first amassed such staggering fortunes.
I suppose one must possess significant resources before they can even consider extending a hand to others.
In my view, the entire discussion feels somewhat misguided from the outset; rather than questioning how one should manage immense wealth—whether it is ethically sound to hoard it all or if there is an obligation to assist those in need—the conversation tends to focus solely on that specific segment of society that accumulates vast sums only to indulge themselves endlessly.
I imagine there will always be such individuals, regardless of which country you look at in the US or elsewhere.
The crux of the matter, I think, is that we cannot simply assume every wealthy individual is inherently malevolent or corrupt just because they spend their money on luxury cars and estates while others struggle; being poor doesn't automatically make someone virtuous.

It seems to me that those who are wealthy and also morally bankrupt were perhaps once quite impoverished themselves... whereas, on the other hand, there are many who have acquired wealth through honest work, inheritance, or marriage, yet remain entirely decent people who neither steal nor lie for profit.
Just as there are honest people living in poverty, there are certainly dishonest people in poverty who would likely seize any opportunity to grab wealth instantly, becoming just as predatory as those who currently hold it and continue to exploit the system.
One really cannot afford to generalize in matters such as these.

Susan Lewis2 said:I suspect that even Bill Gates and his associates wouldn't be in any position to engage in this kind of large-scale philanthropy if they hadn't first amassed such staggering fortunes.
I suppose one must possess significant resources before they can even consider extending a hand to others.
In my view, the entire discussion feels somewhat misguided from the outset; rather than questioning how one should manage immense wealth—whether it is ethically sound to hoard it all or if there is an obligation to assist those in need—the conversation tends to focus solely on that specific segment of society that accumulates vast sums only to indulge themselves endlessly.
I imagine there will always be such individuals, regardless of which country you look at in the US or elsewhere.
The crux of the matter, I think, is that we cannot simply assume every wealthy individual is inherently malevolent or corrupt just because they spend their money on luxury cars and estates while others struggle; being poor doesn't automatically make someone virtuous.

It seems to me that those who are wealthy and also morally bankrupt were perhaps once quite impoverished themselves... whereas, on the other hand, there are many who have acquired wealth through honest work, inheritance, or marriage, yet remain entirely decent people who neither steal nor lie for profit.
Just as there are honest people living in poverty, there are certainly dishonest people in poverty who would likely seize any opportunity to grab wealth instantly, becoming just as predatory as those who currently hold it and continue to exploit the system.
One really cannot afford to generalize in matters such as these.

Solid post. I agree. 🙂

Andrew Sullivan8 said:I do. A little more than I really need. Though, "enough" is a subjective thing. To some people, it wouldn't be enough, and to others, it'd be way too much... ☕

Looks like most people missed the whole point of this thread...

The topic is about how people who already have massive wealth—money they could never actually spend (just look at those political scandals in the papers I mentioned earlier)—are willing to sacrifice moral values just to pile up even more money they'll never touch.

Hmm, it's a bit confusing. By linking massive wealth to morality (things like theft, fraud, or murder), it’s hard to tell where the focus actually lies—is it about the act of hoarding all that cash, or is it about throwing ethics out the window to get it in the first place?

Anyway, here are a few of my own thoughts on this. It's something I think about quite often...

Money buys a certain level of freedom and happiness, or at least makes them more likely. So, it's totally natural to want to earn and save until you hit that sweet spot. That specific number is personal, though. It really comes down to how much spiritual maturity someone has. After that, people usually grab a little extra as a "safety net" for emergencies. If the hoarding continues (just for themselves!) beyond that point, it's probably a psychological issue—maybe irrational fears or issues with self-worth. Psychologists would know better than me.

As for whether someone will turn to crime, fraud, or violence to get it? That depends entirely on their own ethical compass. Honestly, that has nothing to do with how much money they have or how much they're chasing.

northernbadger4 said:It’d be pretty tough to explain, honestly. It's complicated.

Basically, I'm talking about an organization dedicated to helping and protecting people. Think of it like the police, just... way better. Actually, compared to what I have in mind, the local PD would look like a preschool. 🙂

Now that sounds interesting! You've got me curious! 🙂

Moral values are ultimately subjective matters.

Consider this line of reasoning:

The world should be guided by those who actually understand what they are doing, rather than just any random fool. Intelligent people make sound decisions; fools only make mistakes.
I consider myself intelligent—my track record proves it. I know exactly how I achieved my success through hard work, strategic thinking, and overcoming everyone in my path, including the best of them. Besides, everyone believes they are smart; why should I hold a different opinion of myself?
God created fools so that the intelligent would have someone to take money from. If that weren't the case, what would intelligence even be for? Without it, everyone would be equal, whether smart or not, and we know that isn't true. Even if equality were possible, it wouldn't be fair.
It is immoral to allow a fool to keep their money. If they hold onto it, they will only waste it on something stupid, whereas that capital could do something productive in the hands of someone smarter. In any case, someone more capable will eventually take it from them anyway; why shouldn't that person be me?
The more strictly I follow these undeniable moral principles, the better and greater a man I become. 👋

🙂

Zachary Mendoza2 said:Moral values are ultimately subjective matters.

Consider this line of reasoning:

The world should be guided by those who actually understand what they are doing, rather than just any random fool. Intelligent people make sound decisions; fools only make mistakes.
I consider myself intelligent—my track record proves it. I know exactly how I achieved my success through hard work, strategic thinking, and overcoming everyone in my path, including the best of them. Besides, everyone believes they are smart; why should I hold a different opinion of myself?
God created fools so that the intelligent would have someone to take money from. If that weren't the case, what would intelligence even be for? Without it, everyone would be equal, whether smart or not, and we know that isn't true. Even if equality were possible, it wouldn't be fair.
It is immoral to allow a fool to keep their money. If they hold onto it, they will only waste it on something stupid, whereas that capital could do something productive in the hands of someone smarter. In any case, someone more capable will eventually take it from them anyway; why shouldn't that person be me?
The more strictly I follow these undeniable moral principles, the better and greater a man I become. 👋

🙂

Exactly.

But Vivekananda only brought up criminal acts in his opening post—things like theft, fraud, or murder. That’s basically what our society views as the ultimate violation of the common good, so I stuck to that specific slice of morality.

If we were talking about morality in the broadest sense—the way it's actually defined—we'd be diving into your territory: whether it's moral to amass massive wealth legally. But honestly, that feels more like a Politics discussion than something for this thread.😉

Susan Lewis2 said:I suspect that even Bill Gates and his associates wouldn't be in any position to engage in this kind of large-scale philanthropy if they hadn't first amassed such staggering fortunes.
I suppose one must possess significant resources before they can even consider extending a hand to others.
In my view, the entire discussion feels somewhat misguided from the outset; rather than questioning how one should manage immense wealth—whether it is ethically sound to hoard it all or if there is an obligation to assist those in need—the conversation tends to focus solely on that specific segment of society that accumulates vast sums only to indulge themselves endlessly.
I imagine there will always be such individuals, regardless of which country you look at in the US or elsewhere.
The crux of the matter, I think, is that we cannot simply assume every wealthy individual is inherently malevolent or corrupt just because they spend their money on luxury cars and estates while others struggle; being poor doesn't automatically make someone virtuous.

It seems to me that those who are wealthy and also morally bankrupt were perhaps once quite impoverished themselves... whereas, on the other hand, there are many who have acquired wealth through honest work, inheritance, or marriage, yet remain entirely decent people who neither steal nor lie for profit.
Just as there are honest people living in poverty, there are certainly dishonest people in poverty who would likely seize any opportunity to grab wealth instantly, becoming just as predatory as those who currently hold it and continue to exploit the system.
One really cannot afford to generalize in matters such as these.

True enough, though one really ought to remember that Bill Gates arrived at his profit margins through what was essentially an abuse of near-monopolistic power, peddling half-baked products as finished goods for years on end. If some massive class-action law firm decided to sue on behalf of every single programmer and end-user across the United States and the rest of the globe—seeking damages for all the wasted hours lost to the endless bugs inherent in his operating systems—he wouldn't have a single cent left to his name; in fact, he’d likely be drowning in debt. His wealth is simply the inevitable outcome of being a massive player within a capitalist machine, where the victims are always the "little guys," and there are millions of them scattered everywhere.

You need to have something before you can help anyone else.

It is quite common for high-level drug kingpins to rub elbows with politicians and donate massive sums to charity just to scrub their reputations clean and gain a modicum of social standing.

It is a rare occurrence indeed to see wealth acquired through purely honest means, free from exploitation, deception, or the relentless sleight-of-hand characteristic of modern marketing...

Andrew Sullivan8 said:I do. A little more than I really need. Though, "enough" is a subjective thing. To some people, it wouldn't be enough, and to others, it'd be way too much... ☕

Looks like most people missed the whole point of this thread...

The topic is about how people who already have massive wealth—money they could never actually spend (just look at those political scandals in the papers I mentioned earlier)—are willing to sacrifice moral values just to pile up even more money they'll never touch.

It seems you’ve already provided your own answer... I'm not entirely sure why you're bothering to ask anyone else if you already know where you stand.

Andrew Sullivan8 said:I’m posting this here in the spirituality section, too, since I’m not really sure where it fits best... 😉

"Every single day, you open the papers and see more scandals involving millions of dollars in fraud. It seems people will go to any lengths to get rich—stealing, killing, cheating, just committing any kind of crime imaginable...

What's interesting is that almost all these dishonest schemes are pulled off by people who don't actually need the money to survive. We aren't talking about someone on the brink of starvation or someone who can't afford basic clothes and is struggling to stay alive. It's usually the middle class or the wealthy elite—people who have plenty, but simply never have enough. So much for that idea that greed is driven by necessity...

Sometimes these folks have so much wealth that three generations of their descendants couldn't spend it all, yet they still pull dirty stunts just to stack up even more.

There's something deeply tragic about money, isn't there? How it manages to ruin so many lives..."

Money = POWER 🙏

That's pretty much it.

Anthony Garcia19 said:Now that sounds interesting! You've got me curious! 🙂

I doubt I'll have much more to say on this, so maybe just let the curiosity go.

Most people who land a big payday just can't seem to quit while they're ahead.
Once they hit a million, they’re already chasing two—hit two, and suddenly they’re plotting how to grab three...
Honestly, I don't think it's about actually needing the cash. It's more about that rush of power—it's addictive.

Bradley Wood3 said:Most people who land a big payday just can't seem to quit while they're ahead.
Once they hit a million, they’re already chasing two—hit two, and suddenly they’re plotting how to grab three...
Honestly, I don't think it's about actually needing the cash. It's more about that rush of power—it's addictive.

Power is an interesting thing.
I have to admit, I just don't get it. I've never felt that itch myself.
To me, finding joy in controlling others or pulling strings is just a sign of insecurity, low self-esteem, or narcissism. And honestly, that leads right back to what I said earlier about amassing massive wealth—hoarding way more than anyone could ever actually need.

northernbadger4 said:I doubt I'll have much more to say on this, so maybe just let the curiosity go.

😢🙂

Our "ultra-wealthy" class is honestly just pathetic; they seem so incredibly needy...

Anthony Garcia19 said:Power is an interesting thing.
I have to admit, I just don't get it. I've never felt that itch myself.
To me, finding joy in controlling others or pulling strings is just a sign of insecurity, low self-esteem, or narcissism. And honestly, that leads right back to what I said earlier about amassing massive wealth—hoarding way more than anyone could ever actually need.

Power equals freedom.
It is possible you have never felt that need; many people never do. Most people's actual needs are quite modest. 🤷

Zachary Mendoza2 said:Power equals freedom.
It is possible you have never felt that need; many people never do. Most people's actual needs are quite modest. 🤷

True enough. But to me, those types come off as megalomaniacs—always wanting more, never satisfied. If you ask me, that hunger for power, freedom, or money usually points toward deep-seated complexes or character flaws. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule.

Most people carry their own complexes and flaws, but that isn't the sole driver behind the pursuit of power. Quite simply, why wouldn't one desire influence? The world is vast, filled with abundance waiting to be grasped, embraced, or claimed. There is much to enjoy. When you possess resources, you can provide for others. You have the capacity to reshape the world. It merely requires courage and the will to fight. Unfortunately, many lack this grit; they retreat into their shells and resign themselves to helplessness. It is a tragedy, as I believe many of them could make significant positive contributions if only they were capable.

Furthermore, just as the public often views those in power as corrupt megalomaniacs, many powerful individuals view those who fail as nothing more than foolish cowards.
I suspect this mutual resentment and class division misleads many honest, intelligent people. They choose to forgo power simply to avoid becoming like "them."

Zachary Mendoza2 said:Most people carry their own complexes and flaws, but that isn't the sole driver behind the pursuit of power. Quite simply, why wouldn't one desire influence? The world is vast, filled with abundance waiting to be grasped, embraced, or claimed. There is much to enjoy. When you possess resources, you can provide for others. You have the capacity to reshape the world. It merely requires courage and the will to fight. Unfortunately, many lack this grit; they retreat into their shells and resign themselves to helplessness. It is a tragedy, as I believe many of them could make significant positive contributions if only they were capable.

Furthermore, just as the public often views those in power as corrupt megalomaniacs, many powerful individuals view those who fail as nothing more than foolish cowards.
I suspect this mutual resentment and class division misleads many honest, intelligent people. They choose to forgo power simply to avoid becoming like "them."

I agree. Plenty of people reach positions of influence only to use them for themselves rather than the common good. But, as I mentioned, there are exceptions. People aren't all built the same.

I also think that kind of hatred is misguided, though it's true that people can be anything, and some probably deserve that vitriol. It's just a pity when that anger gets directed at the wrong targets.

Power can be a curse or a blessing. I don't think it's about the power itself, but the person holding it. Power in the hands of a bad actor is definitely a problem. On the flip side, if you give it to someone with good intentions, everyone wins.

Zachary Mendoza2 said:Power equals freedom.
It is possible you have never felt that need; many people never do. Most people's actual needs are quite modest. 🤷

It's true that power can buy you freedom, but you don't need to be powerful to be free. Financial independence is enough. Once you achieve that and keep stacking cash just for the sake of it, it's no longer about being free—it's about wanting to control others. That's where the hunger for power comes in.

So, saying people without a drive for power have "small needs" doesn't really track. If someone is chasing total personal autonomy, their needs aren't small. Honestly, craving power isn't a sign of big ambitions; it's just a sign of a small mind...