Bible Verses

The Best 50+ Bible Verses About Greed

Created:
January 15, 2025
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Updated:
February 3, 2025
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Author:
Joseph Cox

Ever wondered what the Bible has to say about the pitfalls of greed? You're not alone. Many people turn to scripture for guidance on how to navigate the complexities of desire and materialism.

In this article, we'll explore a collection of verses that shed light on the spiritual and moral implications of greed. Whether you're seeking wisdom or simply curious, these passages offer timeless insights that resonate even today.

50 Bible Verses About Greed

10 Bible Verses on Greed and Wealth

Matthew 6:24
  • "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." — Matthew 6:24
  • "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." — 1 Timothy 6:10
  • "He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage." — Proverbs 11:28
  • "And He said to them, 'Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.'" — Luke 12:15
  • "He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity." — Ecclesiastes 5:10
  • "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" — Mark 8:36
  • "Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven." — Proverbs 23:4-5
  • "Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days." — James 5:1-3
  • "And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." — Matthew 19:24
  • "For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world." — 1 John 2:16

10 Bible Verses on Greed and Contentment

Philippians 4:11-12
  • "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." — Philippians 4:11-12
  • "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" — Hebrews 13:5
  • "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content." — 1 Timothy 6:6-8
  • "Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, 'And what shall we do?' So he said to them, 'Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.'" — Luke 3:14
  • "He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live." — Proverbs 15:27
  • "Better a handful with quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind." — Ecclesiastes 4:6
  • "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." — 2 Corinthians 9:8
  • "A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked." — Psalm 37:16
  • "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." — 1 Timothy 6:17-19
  • "Remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches—feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God." — Proverbs 30:8-9

10 Bible Verses on Greed and Generosity

2 Corinthians 9:7
  • "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." — 2 Corinthians 9:7
  • "There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself." — Proverbs 11:24-25
  • "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." — Luke 6:38
  • "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" — Acts 20:35
  • "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly." — Matthew 6:3-4
  • "But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?" — 1 John 3:17
  • "He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given." — Proverbs 19:17
  • "For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have." — 2 Corinthians 8:12
  • "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." — Galatians 6:9-10
  • "But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." — Hebrews 13:16

10 Bible Verses on Greed and Consequences

Proverbs 28:22
  • "A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not consider that poverty will come upon him." — Proverbs 28:22
  • "Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely." — Jeremiah 6:13
  • "Woe to those who devise iniquity, and work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand. They covet fields and take them by violence, also houses, and seize them. So they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance. Therefore thus says the Lord: 'Behold, against this family I am devising disaster, from which you cannot remove your necks; nor shall you walk haughtily, for this is an evil time.'" — Micah 2:1-3
  • "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." — James 4:3
  • "In you they take bribes to shed blood; you take usury and increase; you have made profit from your neighbors by extortion, and have forgotten Me,” says the Lord God." — Ezekiel 22:12
  • "Woe to him who covets evil gain for his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of disaster!" — Habakkuk 2:9
  • "For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart." — Isaiah 57:17
  • "He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live." — Proverbs 15:27
  • "Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." — 1 Corinthians 6:10
  • "Being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers." — Romans 1:29

10 Bible Verses on Greed and Spirituality

Matthew 6:19-21
  • "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." — Matthew 6:19-21
  • "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." — Colossians 3:5
  • "Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." — Luke 12:33-34
  • "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly." — 1 Peter 5:2
  • "Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful." — Matthew 13:22
  • "Not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous." — 1 Timothy 3:3
  • "For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money." — Titus 1:7
  • "For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God." — Ephesians 5:5
  • "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." — Luke 16:13
  • "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." — Matthew 6:33

What Does the Bible Say About Greed

The Bible offers profound wisdom on the dangers of greed and the virtues of contentment and generosity. Through various verses, it becomes clear that an insatiable desire for wealth can lead to spiritual and moral decay. For instance, Matthew 6:24 warns that one cannot serve both God and money, highlighting the conflict between spiritual devotion and material obsession.

Contentment is another recurring theme. Philippians 4:11-12 teaches us to be content in all circumstances, whether in abundance or need. This sentiment is echoed in Hebrews 13:5, which advises us to be content with what we have, for God will never forsake us. Such teachings encourage us to find peace and satisfaction in our current state, rather than constantly yearning for more.

Generosity is also emphasized as a counter to greed. 2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us that God loves a cheerful giver, while Proverbs 11:24-25 illustrates that those who give freely often find themselves enriched in unexpected ways. Acts 20:35 further reinforces this by stating that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Ultimately, the Bible's teachings on greed serve as a guide to living a balanced and fulfilling life. By embracing contentment and generosity, we can avoid the pitfalls of greed and cultivate a more meaningful and spiritually enriched existence.

How to Apply Greed Bible Verses in Daily Life

Applying the Bible's teachings on greed in daily life can lead to a more fulfilling and spiritually enriched existence. Start by practicing gratitude. Each day, take a moment to reflect on what you have and express thanks for it.

Next, set realistic financial goals that align with your values. Avoid the temptation to accumulate wealth for its own sake. Instead, focus on using your resources to support your family and community.

Consider these actionable steps:

  • Give Regularly: Allocate a portion of your income to charitable causes or those in need.
  • Live Simply: Avoid unnecessary purchases and focus on what truly adds value to your life.
  • Share Your Time: Volunteer for community service or help a neighbor in need.
  • Practice Contentment: Remind yourself that true happiness comes from within, not from material possessions.

By incorporating these practices, you can cultivate a life of contentment and generosity, steering clear of the pitfalls of greed.

Explore more prayers and Bible verses on PrayersFor or use our Bible Verse Generator to deepen your understanding and faith.

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