Lesson 400: "Short, Sour and to the Point"
Greed, according to the Bible is nothing but trouble. It makes one unclean. The passages found in Mark 7 are Jesus teaching about food but this could also apply easily to greed. He stated that what comes out of a person's heart is what defiles him morally and includes evil thoughts. Greed contains evil thoughts since we are usually coveting or thinking to deprive someone else of something in order to get what we want. Greedy is literally "large of soul" and refers to an uncontrolled, avaricious appetite for material things. Because greed is selfish it results in dissension or strife. Greed is a companion to deceit (Pro. 6:14), hatred (Pro. 10:12), temper (Pro. 15:18), perversity (Pro. 16:28) and anger (Pro. 29:22). The one who trusts in the Lord rather than in riches gained by greed will prosper (Pro. 11:25).
Greet brings trouble on one's family (Pro. 15:27) and tears down countries (Pro. 29:4). It is a characteristic of a depraved mind (Rom. 1:28-29) and is of an earthly nature (col. 3:5). It is improper for God's people (Eph. 5:3) and Paul gives strong warnings not to associate with greedy people (1 Cor. 5:9-11). The greedy will not inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:10, Eph. 5:5). "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (Luke 12:15). Isaiah 56:11 says that greedy ones are like dogs with mighty appetites and Proverbs 1:19 tells us that greed is an ill-gotten gain and makes us crave more.
Psalm 17:12 compares greed to a hungry lion, Ephesians 4:19 states they lust for more while Ezekiel 22"12 explains that greed is an unjust gain. Greed is compared to covetousness and lovers of money (1 Tim. 3:3-8, 2 Tim. 3:2). It brings in jealously among siblings such as seen in Genesis 4:2-12 with Cain and Abel and with Joseph and his brothers found in Genesis 37:11-20. The Word of God is sweet like honey (Ezek. 3:3, Rev. 10:10) but if misused for self-gain, this unholy greed will turn our stomachs sour (Rev. 10:10).