Do the more we have, the less we become?

Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you),

December is a tricky month in ways more than one. One of the tricky bits of December, especially if one is overseas, where Christmas shopping and Boxing day exists, is the dreaded (or welcomed?) four letter word...Sale.

Of course, commercialism of festive events is not only restricted to Christmas, for Muslims in some other countries may also feel that Eid has become somewhat commercialized. However, the sales in December has left me with a nagging question of how the rich feel when they spend. Let's dramatize this question a bit more, how do Kings, Sultans or the super-rich feel when they spend? 

Do they feel the value of owning that thing or acquiring that service? I'm not generally against Kings/Sultans & what not, nor am I against some form of spending. I, myself, umm have been spending in December & perhaps a bit guiltily at that. It's ironic for me because I'm not rich or anything, though I am fortunate to have a sponsorship to assist my studies, and that study involves poverty. So it's ironic in the sense that I buy things which the poor may not have. With that, there is some guilt of some sort especially if I buy something that is relatively of some luxury.

Anyway, after purchasing those things that I had in December and pondering on the items that I have, I wonder how the rich feels when buying. Do they feel truly rich? As things stand, I feel the more (things) I have, the less (of the person) I am. Ok, this may be entering a philosophical discussion/rant of some sorts, for which I apologize, but I am truly somewhat curious. 

I'm reminded of religious teachings from my youth, where if I recall Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) secluding himself in a cave to meditate. In a cave, where presumably not much of wealthy items exist, and yet, I pray in a room where I feel relatively valuable things exist. Do the more we have, something lessens in us? 

I don't know, though I feel it may be...except if we spent wisely & in the best of intentions. Anyway, I leave this post with Qur'anic verses related to the worldly things we have. 

The Qur'an reads:

Beautified for mankind is love of the joys (that come) from women and offspring; and stored-up heaps of gold and silver, and horses branded (with their mark), and cattle and land. That is comfort of the life of the world. Allah! With Him is a more excellent abode. (3:14)

Know well that the worldly life is but a play and an amusement, and a show of beauty, and exchange of boastful claims between you, and a competition of increase in riches and children. (All this is) like a rain, the growth of which attracts the farmers, then it withers, and you see it turning yellow, then it becomes straw. And in the Hereafter there is a severe punishment (for the disbelievers), and forgiveness from Allah and (Allah’s) pleasure (for the believers and the righteous). The worldly life is nothing but a material of delusion. (57:20)

Do correct me if I am wrong, and have a great month/year ahead.

Peace,
Umar