Greed | Desirendevotion

Spirit of Greed

The New International Version (NIV) of the Bible contains many strong warnings and teachings about greed. It is consistently portrayed as a dangerous sin that is rooted in a heart that has lost its focus on God. The NIV often links greed with other sins like idolatry and is clear about its destructive consequences.

Here are some of the key scriptures about greed in the NIV:

1. A Warning from Jesus: The Parable of the Rich Fool

One of the most direct and well-known teachings on greed comes from Jesus himself.

Luke 12:15 (NIV): "Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”" This is a foundational verse. Jesus directly warns against greed and teaches that true life is not measured by how much a person owns.

Luke 12:16-21 (NIV): This is the parable that follows the warning. Jesus tells the story of a rich man who has a great harvest and decides to build bigger barns to store it all, saying to himself, "You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." But God calls him a "fool" because he is going to die that very night and all his possessions will be useless to him.

The passage concludes, "This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

2. Greed as Idolatry

The Bible makes a powerful connection between greed and idolatry, suggesting that when a person's life is ruled by the desire for possessions, they are essentially worshipping them instead of God.

Colossians 3:5 (NIV): "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." This is a profound and unambiguous statement. The Bible defines greed as a form of idolatry, putting it in the same category as other serious sins that must be "put to death."

Ephesians 5:5 (NIV): "For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." This verse reinforces the link between greed and idolatry and explicitly states that those who are ruled by greed will not inherit the kingdom of God.

3. The Destructive Nature of Greed

The Bible warns that the pursuit of wealth and greed leads to ruin and spiritual harm.

1 Timothy 6:9-10 (NIV): "Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 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 is one of the most famous verses on the topic.

It is not money itself that is the root of evil, but the "love of money" or the greedy desire for it. This craving can lead people away from their faith and cause them great sorrow.

Proverbs 15:27 (NIV): "The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live." Greed not only hurts the individual but can also destroy relationships and cause chaos within a family.

4. A Warning to Leaders and the Broader Community

The Bible also warns against the pervasive nature of greed in society and among those in authority.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NIV): "Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." This passage places greed on a list of serious sins that can prevent a person from inheriting God's kingdom.

Proverbs 28:25 (NIV): "The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper." This verse highlights the social consequences of greed, showing that it breeds discontent and conflict.

Principles of Greed

Based on the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible, the principles and solution scriptures for greed are not a simple set of rules, but a profound reorientation of a person's life, values, and trust from earthly possessions to God. The solution is rooted in a transformed heart and a new understanding of true wealth.

Here are the key principles and solution scriptures regarding greed;

1. The Principle of Contentment

The direct opposite of greed is contentment. The Bible teaches that true satisfaction and peace come from trusting in God's provision, not from accumulating more.

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV): "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" This verse is a powerful antidote. The solution to the "love of money" (greed) is to find contentment in God's presence and promise to always be with you.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV): "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." This passage reminds us of the temporary nature of earthly wealth. True and lasting "gain" is found in a life of godliness and contentment, not in accumulating possessions.

2. The Principle of Generosity

Greed is about taking and hoarding, while the biblical solution is to give and share. Generosity is the practical expression of a heart that is free from the love of money.

Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV): "One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." This paradox teaches that a greedy person who hoards their wealth will ultimately lose it, while a generous person who gives it away will be blessed in return.

Acts 20:35 (NIV): "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” This quote from Jesus, recorded in Acts, provides a core principle for overcoming greed. The greatest blessing is not in acquiring things for yourself, but in giving to others.

3. The Principle of Storing Up Heavenly Treasure

The Bible calls believers to shift their focus from storing up earthly wealth, which is temporary, to storing up spiritual wealth, which is eternal.

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV): "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

This is the ultimate solution. A person's heart will always follow their treasure. The way to overcome greed is to invest your life, time, and resources in things that have eternal value—like serving God and helping others—rather than in fleeting earthly possessions.

4. The Principle of Trusting God, Not Riches

Greed is rooted in a lack of trust in God's provision and a misplaced trust in wealth to provide security. The antidote is to place your full trust in God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." A person who trusts in the Lord will not be driven by the need to hoard and control their wealth. They will be at peace, knowing that God will guide and provide for them.

Psalm 37:3 (NIV): "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture." This verse links trusting God with "doing good"—a direct contrast to the selfishness of greed.

In summary, the Bibles solution to greed is a radical transformation of the heart. It moves a person from being ruled by the desire for possessions to being motivated by contentment, generosity, and a focus on eternal treasures.

It is a call to place complete trust in God as the ultimate provider and source of security.