What other Bible verses caution against greed similar to Proverbs 28:22? Greed Exposed in Proverbs 28:22 “A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.” Old Testament Echoes • Proverbs 1:19 – “Such are the ways of all who are greedy for gain; it takes the lives of its possessors.” • Proverbs 11:28 – “He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.” • Proverbs 15:27 – “He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.” • Proverbs 20:21 – “An inheritance gained quickly at the beginning will not be blessed in the end.” • Proverbs 21:6 – “Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor, a deadly pursuit.” • Ecclesiastes 5:10 – “He who loves money is never satisfied with money; he who loves wealth is never content with his income. This too is futile.” • Isaiah 5:8 – “Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field until no space is left and you alone dwell in the land.” • Jeremiah 17:11 – “He who makes a fortune unjustly is like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay; in the middle of his days his riches will desert him, and in the end he will be a fool.” New Testament Warnings • Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.” • Luke 12:15 – “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” • Luke 12:20-21 – “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you…’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” • 1 Timothy 6:9-10 – “Those who want to be rich fall into temptation… For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” • Ephesians 5:5 – “No immoral, impure, or greedy person—that is, an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” • Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature… greed, which is idolatry.” • Hebrews 13:5 – “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said, ‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.’” • James 5:1-3 – “Come now, you rich, cry out and wail over the misery to come upon you… Your gold and silver are corroded…” Why Scripture Speaks So Strongly • Greed dethrones God by placing wealth in His rightful place (Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5). • It blinds a person to coming judgment and ultimate poverty (Proverbs 28:22; Jeremiah 17:11). • It destroys relationships and households (Proverbs 15:27; James 5:4-6). • It robs the soul of genuine contentment and peace (Ecclesiastes 5:10; Hebrews 13:5). Practical Reflections for Today • Cultivate gratitude: regularly thank God for specific provisions to weaken the grip of “more.” • Practice generosity: give intentionally—greed shrivels when open hands replace clenched fists (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). • Pursue eternal treasure: set goals that advance God’s kingdom rather than personal stockpiles (Matthew 6:19-21). • Stay accountable: invite trusted believers to speak up if they see money steering your decisions. |
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