What does the Bible say

What Does the Bible Say About Greed?

The Bible warns sharply against greed and covetousness, the endless craving for more that no amount of money can satisfy. Jesus tells us to beware of covetousness, because life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Scripture calls the love of money a root of all kinds of evil, and points us instead to contentment and generosity.

What Scripture says

Here are real verses on greed, each in the King James Version, with a word on what it means.

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 (KJV)

Beware of covetousness, for life consists not in the abundance of possessions.

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 (KJV)

The love of money is the root of all evil, which some have coveted and strayed.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)

Let your conversation be without covetousness; be content with what you have.

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.Ecclesiastes 5:10 (KJV)

He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor abundance with increase.

He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.Proverbs 15:27 (KJV)

He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house.

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:Colossians 3:5 (KJV)

Put to death covetousness, which is idolatry.

What this means for you today

Greed is deceptive because it always promises that a little more will finally be enough, and it never is. Scripture cuts through the lie by fixing our worth and security in God rather than in accumulation.

The antidote to greed is not self-hatred but contentment and generosity. When we learn to be thankful for what we have and open-handed with others, the grip of always wanting more begins to loosen.

The deepest answer is Jesus

Jesus warns that we cannot serve both God and money, and he offers himself as the treasure that finally satisfies the craving no possession ever could.

Every one of these Scriptures points beyond itself to a Person. The deepest answer the Bible gives to any human need is not a rule or a technique but Jesus Christ, who came, lived, died, and rose again so that you could be forgiven and brought home to God. He said, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Whatever you are carrying, you do not have to carry it alone, and you do not have to make yourself clean first. You can come to him today, just as you are.

This is the good news the whole Bible is telling. We were made for God, we have all turned from him and gone our own way, and none of us can fix that on our own. But God did not leave us there. Out of love he sent his Son to take our place, bearing our wrong on the cross and rising again to open the way back to the Father. Everyone who turns to Jesus and trusts him is forgiven, given new life, and welcomed as a beloved child of God, held by a love that will never let go. That is why the Bible's answer to every topic on this page finally leads here. You can respond right now, in your own words, simply telling God you need him and asking Jesus to be your Saviour and Lord. He hears the honest prayer of anyone who comes.

Related: Debt · Saving Money · Wealth · Materialism · Gambling · All topics