Greed

<<lust, gluttony>>

It is excessive or inappropriate desire for more than is essential or necessary.

Greedy people are self-indulgent, self-centered and self-seeking, seldom doing anything for love or goodwill, but seeking to make a personal profit from all aspects of life, having the attitude of ‘what's in it for me?’ The compelling desire to accumulate material possessions can lead into sinful situations and practices, compromising Bible principles, business ethics and integrity, and ultimately gaining very little (1 Tim 6:9,10). The Bible is clear, “Do not covet” (Ex 20:17).

A greedy person is an idol worshipper – loving and worshipping material things more than God and they will not inherit the Kingdom of God (Eph 5:3-5; Col 3:5). In today’s materialistic world we need to remind ourselves of the words of Jesus, “A man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of his possessions”, because “What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” (Mt 16:26; Lk 12:15).

The tax collectors of Jesus’ day were, renowned for being dishonest and greedy. When they wanted to be baptised He told them, “Don’t collect more than you are required to”
(Lk 3:12,13). They were to be honest and fair, not using their position to demand inflated

Don’t exploit others for personal gain

charges from which they siphoned off extra for themselves. “A greedy man brings trouble to his family…He stirs up dissension” (Prov 15:27, 28:25). “A fortune made by lying is a fleeting vapour” (Prov 21:6). Ill-gotten gain is obtained by evil or unlawful means and is not beneficial in the long term (Prov 1:19). Greed is also a motivation for gambling.

It is natural to have ambition, goals and to better our lot in life yet it should not be a driving, relentless passion of ‘I must have at any price’ mentality of over-abundance.