Greed is a common struggle that can lead individuals away from genuine fulfillment and spiritual peace. The Bible offers numerous verses that address the dangers of greed and materialism, warning us about its potential to corrupt our hearts and distort our priorities. These scriptures provide valuable lessons on the importance of generosity, contentment, and the pursuit of righteousness over wealth.
Ultimately, these Bible verses serve as a guide to help us recognize and combat the allure of greed, empowering us to make choices that align with our faith and values. By embracing a spirit of generosity and contentment, we can experience a deeper sense of joy and purpose in our lives.
Bible Verses About Greed
Proverbs 15:27 – Understanding Greed in the Bible
“The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.” – Proverbs 15:27
More Related Verses:
“He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.” – Proverbs 15:27
“A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live.” – Proverbs 15:27
“Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.” – Proverbs 15:27
1 Timothy 6:9 – The Dangers of Greed
“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” – 1 Timothy 6:9
More Related Verses:
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” – 1 Timothy 6:10
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” – 1 Timothy 6:6
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” – Mark 8:36
Also read: 31 Bible Verses About Hate (with Related Verses)
Matthew 19:24 – Biblical Examples of Greed
“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” – Matthew 19:24
More Related Verses:
“The man said, ‘All these I have kept since I was a boy.’ When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'” – Luke 18:21-22
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” – Matthew 6:19
“In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.” – 2 Peter 2:3
Luke 12:15 – Jesus’ Teachings on Greed
“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'” – Luke 12:15
More Related Verses:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” – Mark 8:36
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21
Philippians 4:11 – The Impact of Greed on Relationships
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” – Philippians 4:11
More Related Verses:
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.” – Proverbs 3:9
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.” – Matthew 6:25
Hebrews 13:5 – Greed and Contentment
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” – Hebrews 13:5
More Related Verses:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” – 1 Timothy 6:6
“The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.” – Proverbs 10:22
“Contentment is a great victory.” – 1 Timothy 6:6
Proverbs 28:20 – Greed and the Pursuit of Wealth
“A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.” – Proverbs 28:20
More Related Verses:
“Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” – Proverbs 11:4
“Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.” – Proverbs 15:16
“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.” – Proverbs 23:4
Genesis 14:21 – Greed in the Old Testament
“The king of Sodom said to Abram, ‘Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.'” – Genesis 14:21
More Related Verses:
“Cursed is anyone who is lax in doing the Lord’s work. Cursed is anyone who keeps their sword from bloodshed.” – Jeremiah 48:10
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” – 1 Timothy 6:10
“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.” – Exodus 20:17
Revelation 3:17 – Greed and Spiritual Poverty
“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” – Revelation 3:17
More Related Verses:
“But the people of the land mocked them, and they were filled with wrath, and began to speak against the people of God.” – Nehemiah 4:1
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” – Matthew 16:26
“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it?” – Jeremiah 17:9
Colossians 3:5 – Covetousness vs. Greed
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” – Colossians 3:5
More Related Verses:
“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” – Philippians 4:5
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” – Galatians 6:7
“A greedy person stirs up conflict, but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.” – Proverbs 28:25
1 Timothy 6:10 – Greed and the Love of Money
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” – 1 Timothy 6:10
More Related Verses:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” – 1 Timothy 6:6
“Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” – Luke 12:15
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” – Matthew 6:24
James 5:1 – The Warning Against Greed
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.” – James 5:1
More Related Verses:
“Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” – Proverbs 11:4
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:4
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 6:1
2 Corinthians 9:7 – The Role of Generosity
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7
More Related Verses:
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.” – Luke 6:38
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.” – Proverbs 3:9
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16
Colossians 3:2 – Greed and Idolatry
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2
More Related Verses:
“You shall have no other gods before me.” – Exodus 20:3
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” – 1 John 5:21
“And he said to them, ‘Take care and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'” – Luke 12:15
Proverbs 1:19 – Greed and Its Consequences
“Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.” – Proverbs 1:19
More Related Verses:
“The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” – Proverbs 10:22
“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” – Proverbs 13:11
“He who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.” – Proverbs 28:20
Isaiah 57:17 – Greed as a Sinful Desire
“Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry, and struck him; I hid my face and was angry; but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart.” – Isaiah 57:17
More Related Verses:
“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.” – Exodus 20:17
“But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” – 1 Timothy 6:8
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” – Jeremiah 17:9
Matthew 6:24 – The Heart of the Greedy
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” – Matthew 6:24
More Related Verses:
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:26
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” – 1 Timothy 6:6
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21
Philippians 4:19 – Overcoming Greed Through Faith
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
More Related Verses:
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.” – Hebrews 13:5
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” – 1 Timothy 6:6
“The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.” – Proverbs 10:22
2 Peter 2:14 – Biblical Principles of Stewardship
“With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they entice the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!” – 2 Peter 2:14
More Related Verses:
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” – 1 Timothy 6:10
“The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.” – Proverbs 14:10
“The eyes are never satisfied.” – Proverbs 27:20
Matthew 19:21 – Greed and Eternal Life
“Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'” – Matthew 19:21
More Related Verses:
“Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” – Matthew 6:20
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” – Mark 1:17
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” – Mark 8:36
Mark 12:41 – The Contrasting Attitude of Giving
“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.” – Mark 12:41
More Related Verses:
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25
“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
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7
Proverbs 21:26 – Greed and Social Injustice
“All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.” – Proverbs 21:26
More Related Verses:
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” – Proverbs 19:17
“You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.” – Leviticus 19:11
“The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives.” – Psalm 37:21
1 Timothy 6:17 – Greed in the New Testament
“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.” – 1 Timothy 6:17
More Related Verses:
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” – Galatians 6:7
“We are not to be complicit with this vice.” – Ephesians 5:11
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.” – Hebrews 13:5
James 4:2 – Greed and Selfishness
“You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight.” – James 4:2
More Related Verses:
“He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.” – Proverbs 15:27
“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” – Proverbs 16:24
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” – Proverbs 19:17
1 John 2:15 – Finding Freedom from Greed
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” – 1 John 2:15
More Related Verses:
“For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it.” – 1 Timothy 6:7
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.” – Matthew 6:19
“Not all who say to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 7:21
Final Thoughts
Greed is a pervasive issue that many face, described throughout the Bible as an insatiable desire for more, leading to destructive consequences. The Scriptures offer numerous warnings against the dangers of greed, urging believers to hold wealth lightly and prioritize spiritual richness over material gain.
Ultimately, overcoming greed requires faith, trust in God’s provision, and a heart willing to share with others. As we reflect on these biblical truths, let us strive to cultivate hearts full of gratitude and generosity, recognizing that our true treasure lies not in material wealth, but in our relationship with the Creator. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all your needs will be met according to His riches and glory.