Ah man, that's a toughie.
I read once somewhere that a person who makes 65k dollars a year as a single person (in an affordable place) has hit the point where he can cover bills and still have some extras, and that earning more than that doesn't necessarily make someone more happy.
I think it is human nature to want to always do better. I think it is built into our DNA. That is how we survive as a species. We get smarter, we think better, we make things easier so that our bodies have to do less and that our brains can grow bigger. It is all a natural part of evolution.
I think where we go wrong is associating this success purely with money. I'm not sure if 65k is the proper cut-off or a million dollars is, but I do believe that after a certain amount, money is no longer what most people strive for. (Though there are exceptions of rich people that just have to keep on earning because they are literally addicted to money, but I think they are the exception, not the norm.)
I suppose if people aren't used to earning a lot, and then they all of a sudden earned a lot (like lotto winners) they wouldn't quite know what to do with it, and instead of acting reasonable with their money and making it last, they would blow it all and rise up to a higher standard of living, at which point what they now made wouldn't be enough, so they would need more. I think that is the true reality.
As I said though, I think even money has its limits. Once you have everything you have ever wanted, then you start to desire things you can't really buy (even if money helps you get what you want.)
For me personally, I am just as guilty. All I ever wanted ever was a husband. Then I wanted a car. Then I wanted a house. Then I wanted kids. Now I want a mini van, and a bigger house, and a retirement and vacations, and the list goes on and on. I am ashamed to admit that I don't know when I would ever be satisfied. (But I have always adamently saved even though we don't earn much, so there may be a point where my craving could be satiated, but I doubt I will ever know because I will probably always be poor haha.) On the off chance that I ever make anything from Steemit, I will come back and let you know how I fared after the exposure to any kind of real money.
Sorry this was so long winded, it's just such an interesting topic. It really tickled my fancy!
I have read this also and it makes sense as you pointed out one can take care off everthing and has enough money for leisure.
I also think we are way to focused about money as it is often the missing factor to fullfillng our dreams ( which might not be even true) once we obtained what we got we get bored with it rather quickly and looking at something new as the grass seems greener over there.
That doesnt mean we are not greatful but probably not greatful enough.
For one it might be the new car for the next one it needs to be a privat jet but we will always have monetary dreams.
No need to aplogize I enjoyed your comment a lot