12 Bible Verses About Greed

Written by: Evelyn Johnson
Published on:

This article focuses on Bible verses about greed and its dangers.

Greed is an excessive desire for material possessions, wealth, or power, and the Bible warns against it as a sin associated with selfishness, dishonesty, and idolatry.

The article also suggests relevant Bible chapters to read for more insight into greed, including Ecclesiastes 5, Luke 12, and James 5.

The Bible emphasizes contentment, generosity, and putting others before oneself, and warns against destructive behavior that can result from greed.

Bible verses about greed

Here are twelve powerful Bible verses about greed:

1. “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” – 1 Timothy 6:10
2. “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” – Luke 12:15
3. “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” – 1 Timothy 6:9
4. “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.” – Proverbs 28:22
5. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” – Matthew 6:24
6. “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” – Luke 12:15

7. “Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.” – Proverbs 15:16
8. “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.” – Ecclesiastes 5:10
9. “Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!” – Isaiah 5:8
10. “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” – Luke 12:15
11. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33
12. “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” – Luke 12:15

What does the Bible say about greed?

The Bible speaks extensively about greed and warns against it.

Greed is the excessive desire for material possessions, wealth, or power.

It is considered a sin and is often associated with selfishness, dishonesty, and idolatry.

The Bible teaches that greed can lead to destructive behavior, including theft, exploitation, and oppression of others.

It also emphasizes the importance of contentment, generosity, and putting others before oneself.

The Bible encourages individuals to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, rather than accumulating wealth and possessions.

What Bible chapters should you read if you want to learn more about greed?

1. Ecclesiastes 5 – This chapter talks about the dangers of greed and how it can lead to dissatisfaction and emptiness. It also emphasizes the importance of contentment and enjoying what one has.

2. Luke 12 – This chapter includes the parable of the rich fool, who stored up his wealth but was not rich toward God. It also warns against covetousness and encourages generosity.

3. James 5 – This chapter addresses the wealthy who have gained their wealth through dishonest means and warns of the consequences of hoarding wealth and exploiting others.

All of these chapters are relevant to greed because they warn against the dangers of pursuing wealth and material possessions at the expense of one’s spiritual well-being and relationships with others. They emphasize the importance of contentment, generosity, and using wealth for good rather than selfish gain.

Ideas and concepts related to greed that are also taught or mentioned in the Bible.

1. Covetousness – This refers to an intense desire to possess something that belongs to someone else. It is closely related to greed because it involves an insatiable desire for material possessions and wealth.

2. Mammon – This is a term used in the Bible to describe wealth and material possessions. It is often associated with greed because it represents the pursuit of wealth at the expense of spiritual values.

3. Idolatry – This refers to the worship of false gods or the pursuit of material possessions as if they were gods. It is related to greed because it involves placing material possessions above spiritual values and the worship of God.

4. Avarice – This is a term used to describe extreme greed or the desire for wealth and material possessions beyond what is necessary or reasonable. It is closely related to greed because it involves an excessive desire for wealth and material possessions.

5. Envy – This refers to a feeling of discontent or resentment towards someone who possesses something that one desires. It is related to greed because it involves a desire for material possessions and wealth that is driven by envy and jealousy.

Evelyn Johnson - Bible Verses
Written by Evelyn Johnson


Evelyn Johnson is a theologian, Bible expert, and the founder of EncouragingBibleVerses.org, a trusted resource for uplifting and empowering Bible verses.

With a Master's degree in Divinity, Evelyn is dedicated to studying and interpreting the Bible. Her website features curated collections of verses on various topics, along with insightful commentary and practical tips for everyday life.

Evelyn is also a sought-after speaker and author on matters of faith and spirituality. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and volunteering in her local church and community.

Learn more about her and read her other articles here.