Definition and Nature:
Avarice, often synonymous with greed, is an excessive or insatiable desire for wealth or material gain. It is considered a vice that leads individuals away from spiritual fulfillment and towards a focus on earthly possessions. In the biblical context, avarice is condemned as it reflects a heart that prioritizes material wealth over God and His commandments.

Biblical References:
The Bible addresses avarice in various passages, warning against the dangers of wealth and the love of money. In the New Testament, Jesus explicitly warns against greed in Luke 12:15, saying, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." This highlights the futility of equating life’s value with material wealth.

The Apostle Paul also speaks against avarice in 1 Timothy 6:10, stating, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." Here, Paul emphasizes that the love of money can lead to spiritual downfall and personal distress.

In the Old Testament, Proverbs 28:22 warns, "A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him." This proverb illustrates the irony that the pursuit of wealth for its own sake can lead to spiritual and sometimes material poverty.

Theological Implications:
Avarice is seen as a form of idolatry, where wealth becomes a god that one serves and worships. Colossians 3:5 instructs believers to "put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry." This passage underscores the idea that greed is not merely a moral failing but a spiritual one, as it replaces God with material desires.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:
The Bible encourages contentment and generosity as antidotes to avarice. Hebrews 13:5 advises, "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.'" This verse reassures believers of God’s provision and presence, encouraging them to trust in Him rather than in wealth.

Furthermore, the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 serves as a cautionary tale about the futility of hoarding wealth without regard for God or others. The rich man’s life is demanded of him, and his accumulated wealth proves useless, illustrating the transient nature of earthly riches.

Practical Applications:
Christians are called to practice stewardship, recognizing that all possessions are ultimately God’s and should be used for His glory and the benefit of others. Acts of charity and generosity are encouraged as expressions of faith and love. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul writes, "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

By focusing on spiritual riches and the well-being of others, believers can combat the temptation of avarice and live in accordance with God’s will.1. (n.) An excessive desire of gain; greed; covetousness; cupidity.

2. (n.) An inordinate desire for some supposed good.

5365. philarguria -- love of money, avarice
... love of money, avarice. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: philarguria
Phonetic Spelling: (fil-ar-goo-ree'-ah) Short Definition: love of money ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5365.htm - 6k

4124. pleonexia -- advantage, covetousness
... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: pleonexia Phonetic Spelling:
(pleh-on-ex-ee'-ah) Short Definition: covetousness, avarice Definition: covetousness ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4124.htm - 7k

3126. mamonas -- riches
... mammon. Of Chaldee origin (confidence, ie Wealth, personified); mammonas, ie Avarice
(deified) -- mammon. (mamona) -- 4 Occurrences. 3125, 3126. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3126.htm - 6k

Of Avarice. ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon V. Of Avarice.? Of Avarice. Aurelius,
the bishop, said: The cupidity of avarice (which, let ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon v of avarice .htm

After the Banishment of Justice, Lust, Unjust Laws, Daring ...
... Chap. VI."After the Banishment of Justice, Lust, Unjust Laws, Daring, Avarice,
Ambition, Pride, Impiety, and Other Vices Reigned. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap vi after the banishment of.htm

Of God, and the Religious Rites of the Foolish; of Avarice, and ...
... Book II. Of the Origin of Error. Chap. vii."of god, and the religious rites
of the foolish; of avarice, and the authority of ancestors. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap vii of god and the.htm

Finally, Another Glory of virginity is Mentioned, that it is Free ...
... To Marcellina, His Sister. Book I. Chapter X. Finally, another glory of
virginity is mentioned, that it is free from avarice.? ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter x finally another glory.htm

Whether any Other Special Sins, Besides Pride and Avarice, Should ...
... OF THE CAUSE OF SIN, IN RESPECT OF ONE SIN BEING THE CAUSE OF ANOTHER (FOUR ARTICLES)
Whether any other special sins, besides pride and avarice, should be ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether any other special sins.htm

Of those who Abused his Extreme Benevolence for Avarice and ...
... Book IV. Chapter LIV."Of those who abused His Extreme Benevolence for Avarice
and Hypocrisy. In like manner his mental [3353] qualities ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter liv of those who abused.htm

Salvian's Literary Work
... The ninth, addressed to Salonius, is of special interest, since it explains both
Salvian's purpose in writing his four books Against Avarice, and his reasons ...
/.../salvian/on the government of god/iii salvians literary work.htm

Whether Only the Sin of Pride and Envy Can Exist in an Angel?
... Objection 2: Further, as pride and envy are spiritual sins, so are sloth, avarice,
and anger. ... Consequently avarice properly so called cannot be in them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether only the sin of.htm

Of the Corruption which had Grown Upon the Roman Republic Before ...
... instead of undergoing insensible alteration, as hitherto they had done, were swept
away as by a torrent; and how depraved by luxury and avarice the youth were ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 19 of the corruption which.htm

On the Fast of the Tenth Month, vi.
... "Give," he says, "and it shall be given to you [711] ." How soon do the misgivings
of distrust and the puttings off of avarice fall to the ground, when ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xvii on the fast.htm

Avarice (2 Occurrences)
... covetousness; cupidity. 2. (n.) An inordinate desire for some supposed good.
Multi-Version Concordance Avarice (2 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians ...
/a/avarice.htm - 7k

Contentment (4 Occurrences)
... in which one's desires are confined to his lot whatever it may be (1 Timothy 6:6;
2 Corinthians 9:8). It is opposed to envy (James 3:16), avarice (Hebrews 13:5 ...
/c/contentment.htm - 9k

Avaricious (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Actuated by avarice; greedy of gain; immoderately
desirous of accumulating property. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/a/avaricious.htm - 7k

Greed (19 Occurrences)
... 5:11 But what I meant was that you were not to associate with any one bearing the
name of "brother," if he was addicted to fornication or avarice or idol ...
/g/greed.htm - 12k

Gloat (11 Occurrences)
... (vi) To look steadfastly; to gaze earnestly; -- usually in a bad sense, to gaze
with malignant satisfaction, passionate desire, lust, or avarice. ...
/g/gloat.htm - 9k

Greedy (24 Occurrences)
... 5:11 But what I meant was that you were not to associate with any one bearing the
name of "brother," if he was addicted to fornication or avarice or idol ...
/g/greedy.htm - 13k

Idol-worship (2 Occurrences)
... 5:11 But what I meant was that you were not to associate with any one bearing the
name of "brother," if he was addicted to fornication or avarice or idol ...
/i/idol-worship.htm - 7k

Iscariot (11 Occurrences)
... As a cloak to his avarice, he pretended to be zealous in their administration, and
therefore, at the anointing of Jesus' feet by Mary, he asked "Why was not ...
/i/iscariot.htm - 25k

Fornication (52 Occurrences)
... 5:11 But what I meant was that you were not to associate with any one bearing the
name of "brother," if he was addicted to fornication or avarice or idol ...
/f/fornication.htm - 24k

Twist (5 Occurrences)
... of parts. 5. (vt) To wind into; to insinuate; -- used reflexively; as,
avarice twists itself into all human concerns. 6. (vt) To ...
/t/twist.htm - 10k

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Avarice: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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