Greed is portrayed in Scripture as a destructive and idolatrous attitude that undermines one's relationship with God. According to Proverbs 15:27 and 1 John 2:15-17, a greedy lifestyle can lead to spiritual corruption and separation from God's love. In contrast, Hebrews 13:5 encourages believers to be content with what they have, and 2 Corinthians 9:7 teaches that giving generously is a key aspect of Christian living. The apostle Paul's words in Acts 20:35, recalling Jesus' teaching, remind us that it is more blessed to give than to receive, highlighting the importance of selflessness over selfish desires.
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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.”
He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.