The Weight of Accumulated Wealth
Accumulated property gradually turns into a source of constant pressure because it is not merely passive ownership, but rather demands continuous care, protection, and effort for its preservation and growth. In one source it is stated that if one tries to safeguard property solely by one’s own efforts, the constant worry and the necessity for relentless work become an integral part of life.
As the quote goes:"But do you think that you alone can manage this?For by thinking in this way, everything may again be taken away. Strive in every manner to protect it; but ultimately entrust its care to the Lord. If you do not work, the Lord will not protect you. If you rely solely on your own efforts and labors, the Lord will withdraw, as you have deemed it unnecessary, and you will again face the same calamity. Work until exhaustion, strain your efforts to the utmost, but ultimately expect the protection of the one Lord." (source: link txt)This quote demonstrates that property requires constant and exhausting work for its preservation. Even if a person makes every effort on their own, they still face the repeated necessity to protect and manage their wealth, which creates endless pressure.On the other hand, accumulated property can exert pressure by pushing a person toward unbridled ambitions and even sacrificial competition. This state is characterized not only by the ongoing financial or material burden but also by psychological pressure, where the desire to possess becomes a source of internal conflict and a race for new acquisitions. This is highlighted in the following quote:"One who despises material things has done away with empty justifications and disputes; but the greedy are ready to compete for, say, a mere needle even unto death." (source: link txt)Here it is emphasized that attachment to material wealth can trigger an obsessive drive for accumulation, provoking constant disputes, competition, and even aggressive clashes over the slightest gains. Thus, accumulated property demands from a person not only the physical labor of maintenance but also moral resilience and the ability to handle the pressure of greed and constant comparisons with others.In summary, accumulated property burdens a person with the obligations of continuous labor, persistent protection, and management, transforming it into a source of both internal and external pressure. One must learn to manage this pressure properly in order not to lose mental balance or become a hostage to the endless pursuit of more.