When you’re tempted to be greedy

“Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.” (Prov. 1:19 ESV)

Be on your guard about all kinds of greed 

“Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 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.” “And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:13-21 NIV)

Greed will trouble your own household 

“Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.” (Prov. 15:27 ESV)

The greedy is among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God 

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor. 6:9-11 ESV)

Therefore…

“A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.” (Prov. 27:25 ESV)

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Col. 3:5 ESV 

Quotes:

“He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” – Socrates

“Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, ‘What’s in it for me’.”  - Brian Tracy