What the Bible Says About Greed
Greed is the restless craving for more — more money, more possessions, more security in things — and the Bible repeatedly exposes it as a snare for the soul. Jesus issued a direct warning: "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions" (Luke 12:15). He locates the danger not merely in having wealth but in the belief that life is measured by it. Greed promises fullness and delivers emptiness. The roots of greed reach back to the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:17 forbids coveting anything that belongs to a neighbor, identifying the desire itself, not only the act, as sin. The Preacher confirms by experience what the law declares by command: "Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income" (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Greed is a thirst that drinking only deepens. Proverbs 15:27 adds that "the greedy bring ruin to their households," showing that covetousness corrodes not only the individual but the family and community around them. Paul reaches the heart of the matter in 1 Timothy 6:10: "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil," and warns that some, eager for it, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. In Colossians 3:5 he goes further, naming greed as idolatry — a rival worship that must be put to death in the believer. The antidote Scripture offers is contentment grounded in God's presence: "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'" (Hebrews 13:5). Freedom from greed comes not from having more but from trusting the One who has promised never to abandon us.
Key verse snapshot
“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
Bible Verses about Greed
7 Scripture passages on this theme
Luke 12:15
“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
1 Timothy 6:10
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Hebrews 13:5
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Proverbs 15:27
“He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.”
Colossians 3:5
“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”
Ecclesiastes 5:10
“He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.”
Exodus 20:17
“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.”
Frequently Asked Questions
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Apply These Verses to Your Life
Scripture comes alive when we meditate on it and apply it daily. Read these verses in full context, pray for understanding, and ask God how they speak to your situation with greed.
- Author:
- The Lord Will Editorial Team
- Reviewed by:
- Ugo Candido
- Last updated:
- Category:
- Scripture Guidance