What do human beings really need? At one tragic extreme, at least 700 million people do not have access to clean water. Every year, half a million children die from water-borne diseases. If we ask a rail-thin Brazilian teenager drinking foul water from a favela puddle about "needs," what reply might we receive? "I really need the new iPhone"?

And at the other extreme … Steven Spielberg needed a bigger boat. The Jaws director is selling his $184 million yacht, The Seven Seas, and replacing it with a larger model he's reportedly having built for $250 million because he outgrew the meager 282-foot old one. The new vessel will be 18 feet longer.

Earlier in the year our national media reported on a "high-profile divorce." The court asked the spouse seeking child support to itemize her monthly needs, which topped $1 million and included $6,800 for groceries, $2,000 for stationery, $160,000 for vacation accommodations, and $300,000 for a private jet. Monthly.

I'm sure we all agree that desiring potable water is a need and not a greed. I hope we all agree that $2,000-a-month for stationery flips the equation … But for most of us, what do we really need? When do our desire for and accumulation of more become greed? Do we need larger homes, nicer cars, a weekly manicure, a new set of clubs and season tickets?