GEN1529 Part of the insidious nature of greed is the need not only to have it, but also to show off one’s wealth and accomplishments to others.   Jacob was well aware of this and that how appearances matter.  Therefore, even though he and his family were not particularly in need of food, when there was a famine in the land of Israel and almost all of the surrounding families required food from Egypt, Jacob nevertheless instructed his sons to go to Egypt to obtain food.  Why? The Talmud Taanit 10b explains that Jacob was careful that his family should not appear to be showing off its wealth by not requiring Egyptian food to survive.  AMJV 338