What is the meaning of Proverbs 28:25? A greedy man • Scripture highlights greed as a heart issue that puts self first. “Those who want to be rich fall into temptation… for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:9-10). • Greed often disguises itself as ambition, but Proverbs warns, “He who is greedy for gain troubles his household” (Proverbs 15:27). • Jesus cautions, “Watch out and guard yourselves from every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). • When a person craves more—more wealth, more control, more applause—his appetite never rests, and the focus moves from serving God to serving self. stirs up strife • Greed cannot stay private; it leaks into relationships. James asks, “What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you?” (James 4:1-2). • In churches, families, workplaces, the greedy person ignites tension the way dry tinder feeds a flame. “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice” (James 3:16). • Paul rebuked Corinth for similar strife: “For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly?” (1 Corinthians 3:3). • Proverbs repeats the pattern: “Whoever loves transgression loves strife” (Proverbs 17:19). Greed sets people at odds because it places possessions over people. but he who trusts in the LORD • The contrast is striking—self-trust versus God-trust. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5-6). • Jeremiah promises, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him” (Jeremiah 17:7). • Trust moves the heart from acquiring to abiding. It loosens the grip on possessions because security rests in God’s character, not in accumulated stuff. • David models this posture: “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act” (Psalm 37:5). will prosper • Biblical prosperity is more than momentary wealth; it is wholeness under God’s favor. Joshua heard, “Meditate on the Book of the Law… then you will prosper and succeed” (Joshua 1:8). • The righteous person “is like a tree planted by streams of water… whatever he does prospers” (Psalm 1:1-3). Fruitfulness flows from faithfulness. • Proverbs echoes, “A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25). • Material provision may come (3 John 2), yet the deeper promise is God’s sustaining care: peace, purpose, eternal reward. summary Greed fixes eyes on gain and ends up fracturing relationships, while trust fixes eyes on the LORD and opens the door to true, God-given prosperity. Proverbs 28:25 invites each believer to loosen the fist, lift the eyes, and find security and flourishing in the faithful provision of God. |
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