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◄ Being Greedy►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Definition and Nature:
Greed, often referred to as covetousness in biblical terms, is an intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or possessions. It is considered a sin that stems from a lack of contentment and trust in God's provision. Greed is often associated with idolatry, as it places material wealth or desires above God.

Biblical References:

1.Old Testament:
·Exodus 20:17: The Tenth Commandment explicitly warns against coveting, which is a form of greed: "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
·Proverbs 15:27: "He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live." This verse highlights the destructive nature of greed, not only to the individual but also to their family.

2.New Testament:
·Luke 12:15: Jesus warns, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Here, Jesus emphasizes that true life and fulfillment are not found in material wealth.
·1 Timothy 6:10: "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." This passage underscores the spiritual dangers of greed, linking it to a departure from faith and the resultant suffering.

Theological Insights:

·Idolatry and Greed:Colossians 3:5 equates greed with idolatry: "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry." Greed is seen as a form of idolatry because it places trust and desire in material things rather than in God.

·Contentment as a Virtue: The Bible advocates for contentment as an antidote to greed.Philippians 4:11-12 speaks of learning to be content in all circumstances, trusting in God's provision.

·Generosity as a Countermeasure:Acts 20:35 records the words of Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Generosity is presented as a virtue that counters the selfishness of greed, aligning believers with God's character.

Moral and Ethical Implications:

·Impact on Relationships: Greed can lead to broken relationships, as it often prioritizes personal gain over the well-being of others.James 4:1-2 discusses how desires and covetousness lead to conflicts and disputes.

·Social Justice: The prophets frequently condemned greed as a social injustice, where the wealthy oppressed the poor.Isaiah 1:23 criticizes leaders who are "companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts."

·Spiritual Consequences: Greed is a barrier to spiritual growth and maturity. It distracts from the pursuit of righteousness and the kingdom of God, as seen in the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21).

Practical Applications:

·Stewardship: Believers are called to be good stewards of their resources, recognizing that all they have is entrusted to them by God. This perspective encourages responsible management and generosity.

·Trust in God: A key to overcoming greed is developing a deep trust in God's provision, as encouraged inMatthew 6:25-34, where Jesus teaches not to worry about material needs but to seek first the kingdom of God.

·Community and Accountability: Engaging in a community of faith provides accountability and encouragement to resist the temptations of greed and to live a life marked by generosity and contentment.

Topical Bible Verses

Hebrews 13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.
Topicalbible.org

Proverbs 28:25
He that is of a proud heart stirs up strife: but he that puts his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
Topicalbible.org

Proverbs 15:27
He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates gifts shall live.
Topicalbible.org

Ephesians 5:5
For this you know, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Topicalbible.org

Strong's Hebrew

5315. nephesh -- a soul, livingbeing, life, self, person, desire...
... 1), endure* (1), feelings (1), fierce* (2),greedy* (1), heart (5), heart's (2),
herself (12), Himself (4), himself (19), human (1), humanbeing (1), hunger (1...

Library

Kingo's Later Years
... Kingo was accused ofbeing greedy, vain, over-ambitious and self-seeking,
all of which probably contained at least a grain of truth....

Philippians ii. 19-21
... They indeed suffer no harm at your hands, even if it is with cause and justice that
they are thus charged ofbeing greedy of gain; for, whether ye speak, or...

The Egyptians, Then, Having Been Taught to Worship Antinous...
... of falsehood when he says, "that they will not endure hisbeing compared with... who
have learned also that all the gods of the heathen aregreedy demons, which...

Argument: the Weapon that C??cilius had Slightly Brandished...
... Paulus also hadgreedy chickens at Cann??, yet he was overthrown with the... these spirits,
after having lost the simplicity of their nature bybeing weighed down...

Outside the Eden Gate.
... ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts; who,being
past feeling, gave themselves up to lasciviousness to make agreedy trade of...

1 Timothy iii. 10-Aug
... the Deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given much to wine, notgreedy of filthy...
be proved: then let them use the office of a Deacon,being found blameless...

The Rich Fool
... But covetousness, or thegreedy clutching at more and more of earthly... also a distinction
between 'abundance' and 'possessions' the formerbeing a superfluous...

Epistle Xlviii. To Columbus, Bishop .
... and that very many, leavebeing given them through venality, arebeing baptized
a... And, if the prowler should have bitten it withgreedy mouth, how do they busy...

But, as Far as what Has Been Already Said...
... If, then, bybeing "washed," as says the Prophet [2054] , in that mystic bath we...
they call him by the same names, a covetous person, one who isgreedy of what...

Prologue. Who is a Faithful and Wise Servant? his Reward is...
... the five talents [2514] of the faith entrusted to these five booksbeing as it... Neither
do I, my brethren, withgreedy desires, long for this, so that I may be...