A greedy man stirs up strifeGreed, often associated with idolatry in the Bible, is a destructive force that disrupts peace and harmony. In the ancient Near Eastern context, greed was not only a personal vice but a societal ill that could lead to conflict and division. The Hebrew word for "greedy" here implies an insatiable desire for more, often at the expense of others. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative where greed leads to strife, as seen in the story of Achan in
Joshua 7, whose covetousness brought trouble upon Israel. The New Testament echoes this sentiment in
James 4:1-2, where desires lead to quarrels and fights. Greed is contrasted with contentment, a virtue extolled throughout Scripture.
but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper
Trusting in the LORD is a central theme in the Bible, emphasizing reliance on God's provision and guidance rather than one's own understanding or resources. The Hebrew concept of trust involves a deep, abiding confidence in God's faithfulness and sovereignty. This trust is not passive but active, requiring obedience and faith. The promise of prosperity is not merely material but encompasses spiritual well-being and fulfillment. This is consistent with the biblical principle found inPsalm 1:3, where the righteous, who delight in the law of the LORD, are likened to a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in season. Trust in God is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who embodies perfect reliance on the Father and offers abundant life to those who follow Him (John 10:10).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Greedy ManRepresents individuals driven by selfish desires and materialism, often leading to conflict and discord.
2.
The LORDRefers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, who is the source of true prosperity and peace.
3.
TrustA key theme in the verse, highlighting reliance on God rather than on one's own understanding or wealth.
4.
StrifeThe conflict and discord that arise from greed and selfish ambition.
5.
ProsperityThe well-being and success that come from trusting in God, encompassing both spiritual and material blessings.
Teaching Points
The Dangers of GreedGreed leads to strife and conflict, disrupting relationships and communities. Christians are called to guard their hearts against the love of money and materialism.
Trusting in the LORDTrue prosperity comes from trusting in God. This trust is not just about financial success but includes spiritual peace and fulfillment.
Contentment as a VirtueContentment is a key aspect of trusting in the Lord. It allows believers to find joy and satisfaction in God's provision, regardless of their circumstances.
The Role of Faith in ProsperityProsperity in the biblical sense is holistic, involving spiritual growth and alignment with God's will, rather than mere material wealth.
Conflict ResolutionBy avoiding greed and trusting in God, believers can become peacemakers, reducing strife and promoting harmony in their communities.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 28:25?
2.How does Proverbs 28:25 define the consequences of a "greedy soul"?
3.What does trusting in the Lord mean in practical daily life?
4.How can we cultivate contentment to avoid the pitfalls of greed?
5.Which other scriptures emphasize the importance of trusting God over material wealth?
6.How can we encourage others to trust God and reject greed in society?
7.How does Proverbs 28:25 define the consequences of greed?
8.What does Proverbs 28:25 suggest about trust in the Lord?
9.How does Proverbs 28:25 relate to modern views on materialism?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 28?
11.What consequences do the wicked face according to scripture?
12.If 'those who seek the Lord understand all things' (Proverbs 28:5), why do virtuous believers sometimes misjudge situations?
13.Does this account conflict with other biblical passages that condemn lying yet here seem to permit it (Genesis 27:6-17)?
14.1 Samuel 2:25 suggests the Lord intended to kill Eli's sons--how does this reconcile with the concept of a merciful, forgiving deity?What Does Proverbs 28:25 Mean
A greedy man• Scripture highlights greed as a heart issue that puts self first. “Those who want to be rich fall into temptation… for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).
• Greed often disguises itself as ambition, but Proverbs warns, “He who is greedy for gain troubles his household” (Proverbs 15:27).
• Jesus cautions, “Watch out and guard yourselves from every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).
• When a person craves more—more wealth, more control, more applause—his appetite never rests, and the focus moves from serving God to serving self.
stirs up strife• Greed cannot stay private; it leaks into relationships. James asks, “What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you?” (James 4:1-2).
• In churches, families, workplaces, the greedy person ignites tension the way dry tinder feeds a flame. “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice” (James 3:16).
• Paul rebuked Corinth for similar strife: “For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly?” (1 Corinthians 3:3).
• Proverbs repeats the pattern: “Whoever loves transgression loves strife” (Proverbs 17:19). Greed sets people at odds because it places possessions over people.
but he who trusts in the LORD• The contrast is striking—self-trust versus God-trust. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
• Jeremiah promises, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him” (Jeremiah 17:7).
• Trust moves the heart from acquiring to abiding. It loosens the grip on possessions because security rests in God’s character, not in accumulated stuff.
• David models this posture: “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act” (Psalm 37:5).
will prosper• Biblical prosperity is more than momentary wealth; it is wholeness under God’s favor. Joshua heard, “Meditate on the Book of the Law… then you will prosper and succeed” (Joshua 1:8).
• The righteous person “is like a tree planted by streams of water… whatever he does prospers” (Psalm 1:1-3). Fruitfulness flows from faithfulness.
• Proverbs echoes, “A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).
• Material provision may come (3John 2), yet the deeper promise is God’s sustaining care: peace, purpose, eternal reward.
summaryGreed fixes eyes on gain and ends up fracturing relationships, while trust fixes eyes on the LORD and opens the door to true, God-given prosperity.Proverbs 28:25 invites each believer to loosen the fist, lift the eyes, and find security and flourishing in the faithful provision of God.
(25)
He that is of a proud heart.--Who thinks much of himself, "stirreth up strife
"by his struggles with others for pre-eminence, and mostly gains only vexation and disappointment for his trouble; "but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat," being richly rewarded with that "peace which passeth all understanding."
Verse 25. -
He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife (
Proverbs 15:18;
Proverbs 29:22); literally,
he that is of a wide soul. This may certainly denote pride (
qui se jactat et dilatat, Vulgate), in which case the gnome says that one who thinks much of himself and despises others is the cause of quarrels and dissensions, occasioned by his struggles for pre-eminence and the ill feeling arising from his overbearing and supercilious conduct. Others, and rightly, take the wide soul to denote covetousness (comp.
Proverbs 23:2;
Isaiah 14;
Habakkuk 2:5). It is the man of insatiable desire, the grasping avaricious man, who excites quarrels and mars all peace, and in the end destroys himself. "Whence come wars," asks St. James (
James 4:1), "and whence come fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your pleasures that war in your members? Ye lust, and have act; ye kill, and covet, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war." Septuagint, "An unbelieving [
ἄπιστος, Alexand.
ἄπληστος, insatiate] man judgeth rashly."
But he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat (
Proverbs 11:25;
Proverbs 16:20;
Proverbs 29:25). The character here opposed to the covetous is that of the patient. God-fearing man, who is contented to do his duty, and leave the result in the Lord's hands. This man shall be made fat, shall be comforted and largely blessed, while he who puts his hope in material things shall fall into calamity. Septuagint, "He who trusts in the Lord will be in his care (
ἐν ἐπιμελείᾳ ἔσται)."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
A greedy manרְחַב־(rə·ḥaḇ-)Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7342:Wide, broadstirs upיְגָרֶ֣ה(yə·ḡā·reh)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1624:To stir up (strife), engage in strifestrife,מָד֑וֹן(mā·ḏō·wn)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4066:A contest, quarrelbut he who trustsוּבוֹטֵ֖חַ(ū·ḇō·w·ṭê·aḥ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 982:To trust, be confident, sureinעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstthe LORDיְהוָ֣ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelwill prosper.יְדֻשָּֽׁן׃(yə·ḏuš·šān)Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1878:To be fat, to fatten, to anoint, to satisfy, to remove, ashes
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OT Poetry: Proverbs 28:25 One who is greedy stirs up strife (Prov. Pro Pr) 
