Which other scriptures emphasize the dangers of greed and its effects? Greed Exposed in Proverbs 15:27 “Whoever is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble upon his household, but he who hates bribes will live.” Parallel Warnings within Proverbs • 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 flourish like foliage.” • Proverbs 28:22 – “A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will overtake him.” • Proverbs 15:16 – “Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.” Old Testament Echoes Beyond Proverbs • Ecclesiastes 5:10 – “He who loves money is never satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income. This too is futile.” • Micah 2:1-2 – The prophet laments those who covet fields and seize them, declaring judgment for their greed-driven oppression. • Isaiah 56:11 – “They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough.” Here greed is pictured as insatiable, corrupting leaders and people alike. • Psalm 10:3 – “For the wicked man boasts of his soul’s desire; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.” Jesus’ Direct Confrontation of Greed • Luke 12:15 – “Watch out and guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” • Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money.” • Mark 8:36 – “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” • Luke 19:1-10 – Zacchaeus’s repentance shows the power of Christ to free a heart previously captive to greed. New Testament Letters: Apostolic Counsel • 1 Timothy 6:9-10 – “Those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a trap… For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” • Hebrews 13:5 – “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.” • Ephesians 5:3 – “But among you, as is proper for saints, there must not even be a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed.” • Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death… greed, which is idolatry.” • 1 Peter 5:2 – Elders are to serve “not out of greed but eagerness.” • 2 Peter 2:14 – False teachers “are experts in greed and an accursed brood.” Real-Life Consequences Displayed • Joshua 7:19-26 – Achan’s secret plunder brings defeat on Israel and death upon his household. • 1 Samuel 8:3 – Samuel’s sons “turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes,” undermining justice and provoking Israel’s demand for a king. • Acts 5:1-11 – Ananias and Sapphira’s greedy deception leads to immediate judgment, instilling holy fear in the church. Freedom through Contentment Scripture repeatedly couples warnings about greed with the invitation to contentment: • Proverbs 30:8-9 – “Give me neither poverty nor riches… lest I be full and deny You, or lest I be poor and steal.” • Philippians 4:11-13 – Paul testifies that, in Christ, he has learned to be content in any circumstance. • Psalm 37:16 – “Better the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked.” Greed promises gain but delivers ruin; contentment promises little yet yields life. Scripture’s chorus calls hearts away from covetousness and into the lasting security found in trusting the Lord. |
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