Greed, the strong desire for more than we need, is warned against in the Bible. It’s shown as a path to trouble, leading people to focus too much on material things. The Bible encourages us to be content with what we have and to share with others instead.
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What Does The Bible Say About Greed
Proverbs 28:25
A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
This verse highlights the destructive nature of greed. It warns us that a greedy person not only brings conflict into their own life but also into the lives of others. However, those who put their trust in the Lord and find contentment in Him will experience true enrichment.
1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
This verse emphasizes that it is the love of money, rather than money itself, that leads to various forms of evil. The pursuit of wealth at any cost can lead individuals astray from their faith and bring about deep sorrow and regret in their lives.
Luke 12:15
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Jesus reminds us in this verse that a person’s worth and identity do not come from material possessions. He urges us to guard against the desire for more, recognizing that true fulfillment comes from a relationship with God, not from accumulating wealth.
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
This verse encourages us to find contentment and satisfaction in God’s presence and promises rather than pursuing wealth. It reminds us that God is always faithful and will never abandon us, which should bring us peace and contentment.
Proverbs 23:4-5
Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.
This passage advises against obsessing over the accumulation of riches. It warns that wealth can be fleeting and easily lost. Instead, we should exercise discernment and recognize the transitory nature of material possessions.
Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Jesus teaches us in this verse that we cannot simultaneously prioritize our devotion to God and our pursuit of wealth. Trying to serve both will lead to a divided heart and conflicts of interest. It calls us to examine our priorities and choose to serve God wholeheartedly.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.
This verse reminds us that the pursuit of wealth and material possessions alone will not bring true satisfaction. Those who prioritize material gain will find themselves chasing an endless cycle of desire and discontentment, ultimately leading to emptiness.
Psalm 62:10
Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
This verse advises against putting our trust in dishonest means of acquiring wealth. It encourages us not to be captivated by the allure of riches but rather to set our hearts on things of eternal value and trust in God’s provision.
Mark 10:25
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.
This verse reminds us that the pursuit of wealth can distract us from our spiritual lives and hinder our relationship with God. It illustrates the difficulty for those who are attached to their worldly possessions to fully surrender and enter into the kingdom of God.
Luke 16:13
No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
This verse reiterates the point that our allegiance cannot be divided between God and wealth. It emphasizes that we must choose where our true devotion lies, recognizing that the pursuit of material gain can easily compromise our commitment to God.
Proverbs 28:16
A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
This verse highlights the detrimental effects of greed on those in positions of authority. It warns against the pursuit of unjust gain, emphasizing that those who reject such practices will experience the blessing of a longer life.
Matthew 6:19-21
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Jesus encourages us in this passage to prioritize accumulating treasures in heaven instead of earthly possessions. Earthly possessions are temporary and vulnerable to loss, but by investing in heavenly matters, our hearts will align with the eternal and our truest desires will be fulfilled.
Proverbs 11:28
Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
This verse cautions against placing our trust in material wealth. Relying solely on riches leads to a false sense of security and ultimately results in downfall. In contrast, those who trust in God and walk in righteousness will experience abundance and flourishing.
1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
This passage urges us not to be ensnared by the allurements of the world, including the pursuit of material possessions. Earthly desires are fleeting and incompatible with the love of the Father. Instead, those who do the will of God will experience eternal fulfillment.
Luke 12:33-34
Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Jesus teaches us in this verse the importance of generosity and investing in eternal treasures rather than clinging to earthly possessions. By prioritizing the needs of others and directing our resources to heavenly causes, our hearts will be anchored in the eternal.
Proverbs 15:27
Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.
This verse warns of the negative consequences that greed and dishonest gain can have on one’s household. It emphasizes the importance of integrity and upright behavior, which ultimately leads to a fruitful and fulfilling life.
Titus 1:7-8
Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
This verse highlights the qualities that should characterize those in leadership positions within the church. It emphasizes the importance of leaders avoiding the pursuit of dishonest gain and instead embodying virtues such as hospitality, love for what is good, self-control, uprightness, holiness, and discipline.
Proverbs 28:8
Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.
This verse points out that there is greater reward in being generous to the poor than in amassing wealth through exploitative means. It highlights the importance of using our resources to bless others rather than solely focusing on personal gain.
Psalm 15:5
Who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.
This verse describes the characteristics of someone who is blameless and steadfast. It includes refraining from charging excessive interest or accepting bribes that harm the innocent. Such a person is secure and unwavering in their integrity.
James 4:13-15
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
This passage reminds us of the uncertainty of life and the importance of recognizing God’s sovereignty in our plans. It cautions against placing excessive emphasis on material gain and urges us to humbly submit our plans to the will of God.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18
Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
This passage serves as a reminder that earthly wealth and success are ultimately bestowed upon us by God. It cautions against pride and self-reliance, instead prompting us to acknowledge God as the source of all our blessings.
Ezekiel 33:31
And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.
This verse highlights the danger of allowing our hearts to be consumed by greed and material gain. It warns against listening to God’s teachings without putting them into practice, indicating that such individuals prioritize their own desires over the will of God.
Psalm 49:16-17
Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.
This verse serves as a reminder that worldly riches and possessions are temporary and ultimately unable to accompany us beyond death. It encourages us not to be envious of those who accumulate wealth, as the true measure of richness lies in our relationship with God.
James 5:1-3
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.
This passage issues a warning to those who place their trust in material wealth. It reveals the temporary nature of riches and reminds us that they provide no lasting security. It urges us to prioritize our relationship with God rather than relying on worldly possessions.
James 1:11
For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
This verse draws a parallel between the fleeting nature of wealth and the fragility of the natural world. It serves as a reminder that worldly possessions, like the flowers that wither under the scorching sun, will eventually fade away, making it essential to prioritize eternal matters above material pursuits.
Proverbs 22:16
Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
This verse emphasizes the consequences of mistreating others for personal gain. It warns against oppressing the poor and indulging the rich, as such actions will ultimately result in experiencing poverty rather than prosperity.