overcoming greed
What does the Bible say about overcoming greed? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
10 passages · most helpful first
10Where there are many riches, there will also be many to consume these things. And how does it benefit the one who possesses, except that he discerns the wealth with his own eyes?
13And someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” 14But he said to him, “Man, who has appointed me as judge or arbitrator over you?” 15So he said to them: “Be cautious and wary of all avarice. For a person’s life is not found in the abundance of the things that he possesses.” 16Then he spoke to them using a comparison, saying: “The fertile land of a certain wealthy man produced crops. 17And he thought within himself, saying: ‘What should I do? For I have nowhere to gather together my crops.’ 18And he said: ‘This is what I will do. I will tear down my barns and build larger ones. And into these, I will gather all the things that have been grown for me, as well as my goods.
15So he said to them: “Be cautious and wary of all avarice. For a person’s life is not found in the abundance of the things that he possesses.”
10And the crowed was questioning him, saying, “What then should we do?” 11But in response, he said to them: “Whoever has two coats, let him give to those who do not have. And whoever has food, let him act similarly.” 12Now the tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13But he said to them, “You should do nothing more than what has been appointed to you.” 14Then the soldiers also questioned him, saying, “And what should we do?” And he said to them: “You should strike no one, and you should not make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”
6But piety with sufficiency is great gain.
5Therefore, mortify your body, while it is upon the earth. For because of fornication, impurity, lust, evil desires, and avarice, which are a kind of service to idols,
17Instruct the wealthy of this age not to have a superior attitude, nor to hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, who offers us everything in abundance to enjoy,
5Let your behavior be without avarice; be content with what you are offered. For he himself has said, “I will not abandon you, and I will not neglect you.”
18and to do good, to become rich in good works, to donate readily, to share,
36Bend my heart with your testimonies, and not with avarice. 37Turn my eyes away, lest they see what is vain. Revive me in your way.