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 food. It is considered a sin that leads individuals away from the virtues of contentment and generosity. The Bible frequently warns against greed, highlighting its destructive nature and its ability to lead individuals away from God.
Biblical References:1.
Old Testament:·
Proverbs 15:27 : "He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live." This verse underscores the destructive consequences of greed, not only for the individual but also for their family.
·
Ecclesiastes 5:10 : "He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile." Here, the futility of greed is emphasized, illustrating that it never truly satisfies the soul.
2.
New Testament:·
Luke 12:15 : "Then He said to them, 'Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'" Jesus warns His followers to be vigilant against greed, teaching that true life is not measured by 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 highlights the spiritual dangers of greed, showing how it can lead believers away from their faith.
Theological Implications:Greed is often seen as idolatry because it places material possessions above God. In
Colossians 3:5 , Paul writes, "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry." This equates greed with idol worship, as it diverts devotion from God to material wealth.
Moral and Ethical Teachings:The Bible encourages believers to cultivate contentment and generosity as antidotes to greed. In
Hebrews 13:5 , it is written, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.'" This verse reassures believers of God's provision and presence, encouraging them to trust in Him rather than in material wealth.
Examples and Warnings:·
Achan's Sin (Joshua 7): Achan's greed led him to take forbidden items during the conquest of Jericho, resulting in Israel's defeat at Ai and his own death. This account serves as a warning of the communal consequences of individual greed.
·
The Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21): Jesus tells the parable of a rich man who hoarded his wealth without regard for God or others. His sudden death illustrates the folly of storing up earthly treasures without being "rich toward God."
Practical Application:Believers are called to practice stewardship, recognizing that all possessions are ultimately God's. Generosity, tithing, and helping those in need are practical ways to combat greed and align one's heart with God's purposes. In
Acts 20:35 , Paul reminds the Ephesian elders of Jesus' words: "It is more blessed to give than to receive," encouraging a lifestyle of giving over accumulating.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
superl.) Having a keen appetite for food or drink; ravenous; voracious; very hungry; -- followed by of; as, a lion that is greedy of his prey.
2. (superl.) Having a keen desire for anything; vehemently desirous; eager to obtain; avaricious; as, greedy of gain.
Greek
146. aischrokerdes --greedy of base gain...greedy of base gain. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: aischrokerdes Phonetic
Spelling: (ahee-skhrok-er-dace') Short Definition:
greedy Definition
...866. aphilarguros -- without love of money
... without covetousness, notgreedy. From a (as a negative particle) and philarguros;
unavaricious -- without covetousness, notgreedy of filthy lucre....
4123. pleonektes -- one desirous of having more
... Cognate: 4123 (a masculine noun derived from 4122 , "to covet") -- used of "agreedy, ,
rapacious, person; a defrauder, trampling on the rights of others...
Strong's Hebrew
1214. batsa -- to cut off, break off, gain by violence... batsa. 1215 . to cut off, break off, gain by violence. Transliteration: batsa
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-tsah') Short Definition:
greedy. Word Origin a prim.
...5794. az -- strong, mighty, fierce
... Word Origin from azaz Definition strong, mighty, fierce NASB Word Usage fierce
(2), fierce men (1),greedy* (1), insolent* (1), mighty (2), power (1), raging (...
5315. nephesh -- a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire...
... person (2), deadly (1), death (1), defenseless* (1), desire (12), desire* (2),
discontented* (1), endure* (1), feelings (1), fierce* (2),greedy* (1), heart (5...
3700. kasaph -- to long (for)
... root Definition to long (for) NASB Word Usage eager (1), long (1), longed (1), longed
greatly (1), shame (1). have desire, begreedy, long, sore....
183. avah -- to incline, desire
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition to incline, desire NASB Word Usage been
greedy (1), crave (1), craved (1), craves (1), craving (1), desire (8...
8378. taavah -- a desire
... Word Origin from the same as avah Definition a desire NASB Word Usage delight (1),
desire (14), desires* (1), favorite (1),greedy (1), intensely (1), what is...
Library
Wrath came to Rebuke, theGreedy who in the Midst of Peace...
... Hymn VII. Wrath came to rebuke, thegreedy who in the midst of peace, bargained,
defrauded and plundered.... In calamity thegreedy have waxed rich: lo!...
Thou Shalt not Steal.
... a roasted chicken will fly into your mouth!" I do not say that a man shall not labor
and seek a living; but he shall not worry, not begreedy, not despair...
Argument: the Weapon that C??cilius had Slightly Brandished...
... and Flaminius, and Junius lost their armies on this account, because they did not
judge it well to wait for the very solemn omen given by thegreedy pecking of...
1 Timothy iii. 10-Aug
... Homily XI. 1 Timothy iii. 8-10. 1 Timothy iii.8-10 "Likewise must the Deacons be
grave, not doubletongued, not given much to wine, notgreedy of filthy lucre...
On the Feast of S. Laurence the Martyr (Aug. 10).
... And so this man, sogreedy of money and such a foe to the truth, arms himself with
double weapon: with avarice to plunder the gold; with impiety to carry off...
That Jupiter is Also Called Pecunia.
... are content with what they have. But we call thegreedy poor, who are always
craving and always wanting. For they may possess ever...
An Hymn of Heavenly Love
... The heavenly praises of true love to sin. And ye that wont withgreedy vain
desire. To... peace,. Did puff them up withgreedy bold ambition,....
1 Timothy iii. 4-Jan
... blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to
hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, notgreedy of filthy...
The Contemptuous Rejection.
... With flashing light out of those keen eyes, He tipped over the tables, spilling
out their preciousgreedy coins, and ordered the crates of pigeons removed....
The Rich Fool
... But covetousness, or thegreedy clutching at more and more of earthly good, has
its roots in us all, and unless there is the most assiduous weeding, it will...
Thesaurus
Greedy (24 Occurrences)... 1. (superl.) Having a keen appetite for food or drink; ravenous; voracious; very
hungry; -- followed by of; as, a lion that is
greedy of his prey.
...Lucre (5 Occurrences)
... betsa'>; kerdos): Literally, "gain" (1 Samuel 8:3 Titus 1:7), hence, in the New
Testament always qualified by "filthy" (1 Timothy 3:8, "notgreedy of filthy...
Greediness (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The quality of beinggreedy; vehement and selfish
desire. Multi-Version Concordance Greediness (3 Occurrences)....
Fond (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 3:8 Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued,
not addicted to much wine, notgreedy for money; (See NAS)....
Filthy (22 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT NIV). 1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, notgreedy of filthy
lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; (KJV WBS YLT)....
Drunkard (15 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Timothy 3:3 not a drinker, not violent,
notgreedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; (See RSV)....
Dishonest (33 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 1 Timothy 3:8 Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued,
not addicted to much wine, notgreedy for money; (See NIV)....
Drinker (6 Occurrences)
... body. (DBY). 1 Timothy 3:3 not a drinker, not violent, notgreedy for money,
but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; (WEB WEY). 1...
Pursuing (50 Occurrences)
... (YLT). 1 Timothy 3:8 Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued,
not addicted to much wine, notgreedy for money; (See NIV)....
Pugnacious (2 Occurrences)
... Pugnacious (2 Occurrences). 1 Timothy 3:3 not a drinker, not violent, notgreedy
for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; (See NAS)....
Resources
What does the Bible say about capitalism? | GotQuestions.orgAre all prosperity preachers charlatans and/or false teachers? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about greed? | GotQuestions.orgGreedy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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