Greed or Adventure?

J. R. R. Tolkien brings about a strong message thematically in The Hobbit when Thorin Oakensheild, one of his central characters, dies as a result of the Battle of Five Armies—a battle that takes place immediately after Thorin’s verbal attack towards Bilbo for his criticism of Thorin’s greed. This scene, in which Thorin lies on his deathbed speaking to Bilbo, represents what I would call the central theme of The Hobbit (and one which Sparky Spangler would certainly agree with). In this scene Thorin addresses Bilbo by telling him that, “There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West…If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world” (263). Thorin asks Bilbo for forgiveness for his actions prior to the Battle, and acknowledges his wrongdoings; furthermore, Thorin admits that the life Bilbo lives is the life his world needs more of. As a theme, this message blankly states that the world would be a better place if more people carried merry values as opposed to greed. On another note, this quote somewhat contradicts the entire adventure. At the end of the book Bilbo was “quite content” with his less-respected lifestyle. Even though he was once praised for his simple ways of life, he now accepts the criticism of his adventure that he receives at home.

So my question is this: What is Tolkien trying to say? If life were better without greed, what would tempt such wonderful adventures? Is it better to live a greedless life or a life without adventure?