Definition and Nature
Greediness, often synonymous with covetousness, is an intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or possessions. In the biblical context, greed is considered a sin that leads individuals away from the love of God and neighbor, focusing instead on material gain and self-interest.

Biblical References
The Bible addresses greediness in various passages, warning against its dangers and the spiritual consequences it brings. In the Old Testament, the Tenth Commandment explicitly states, "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor" (Exodus 20:17). This commandment highlights the importance of contentment and the dangers of desiring what belongs to others.

In the New Testament, Jesus warns against greed in the parable of the rich fool, where He says, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (Luke 12:15). This teaching emphasizes that true life and fulfillment are not found in material wealth but in a relationship with God.

The Apostle Paul also addresses greed, particularly in his letters to the early churches. In Ephesians 5:5, he writes, "For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God" . Here, greed is equated with idolatry, as it places material desires above God.

Consequences of Greediness
Greediness leads to various negative outcomes, both spiritually and socially. Spiritually, it distances individuals from God, as it prioritizes earthly wealth over heavenly treasures. Jesus teaches, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money" (Matthew 6:24). This underscores the incompatibility of serving God while being consumed by greed.

Socially, greed can lead to injustice, exploitation, and a lack of compassion for others. The prophet Isaiah condemns those who "add house to house and join field to field until no space is left and you live alone in the land" (Isaiah 5:8), highlighting the social injustices that arise from unchecked greed.

Antidotes to Greediness
The Bible offers several antidotes to greediness, encouraging believers to cultivate virtues such as contentment, generosity, and trust in God's provision. In 1 Timothy 6:6-8, Paul writes, "Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these" . Contentment is presented as a key to overcoming greed, recognizing that true satisfaction comes from God, not material possessions.

Generosity is another virtue that counters greed. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul encourages believers to give cheerfully, stating, "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver" . Generosity shifts the focus from accumulating wealth to sharing blessings with others.

Finally, trusting in God's provision is essential in combating greed. Jesus reassures His followers in Matthew 6:31-33, "Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you" . Trusting in God's care allows believers to focus on spiritual priorities rather than material concerns.(n.) The quality of being greedy; vehement and selfish desire.4124. pleonexia -- advantage, covetousness
... Word Origin from pleonektes Definition advantage, covetousness NASB Word Usage
covetousness (1), deeds of coveting (1), greed (7), greediness (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4124.htm - 7k

"All Uncleanness with Greediness. "
... Homily V. Chapter XI.""All Uncleanness with Greediness.". "But let all
doors be opened to him, and let all baneful and arbitrary ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xi all uncleanness with greediness.htm

When I Heard any News I Receivd it with Greediness and Delight
... THE THIRD CENTURY 25 When I heard any news I receivd it with greediness and
delight. When I heard any news I receivd it with greediness ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/25 when i heard any.htm

1 Cor. vi. 12
... As when he says, (Philip. iii.19.) "Whose God is their belly:" not speaking
about that part of the body, but about greediness. To ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xvii 1 cor vi.htm

John who was a Torch, Laid Bare and Rebuked the Wanton Ones: they ...
... R., Blessed be He Who makes thy Doctrine rich! 3. May greediness be overcome
by thy fasting even as by the fasting of Daniel! May ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xxi john who was.htm

That Our Irrational Passions have their Rise from Kindred with ...
... which breed largely by their love of pleasure; cowardice preserves the weak, fear
that which is easily taken by more powerful animals, and greediness those of ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/xviii that our irrational passions.htm

Ephesians iv. 17-19
... that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart: who being past feeling,
gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness ...
/.../homily xiii ephesians iv 17-19.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... which also I soon forgot; for my pleasures did quickly cut off the remembrance of
them, as if they had never been: wherefore with more greediness, according to ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

It is Then My Purpose to Prove to You...
... teats which now, after very long thirst, I almost exhausted and dry, have returned
to with all greediness, and with deeper weeping and groaning have shaken ...
/.../augustine/on the profit of believing /section 2 it is then.htm

Self-Examination
... But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that
cup." Paul was here writing of the abuses of greediness and drunkenness which ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 10 self-examination.htm

Miracles no Remedy for Unbelief.
... Those evil tempers which the people displayed in the desert, their greediness,
selfishness, murmuring, caprice, waywardness, fickleness, ingratitude, jealousy ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vi miracles no remedy.htm

Greediness (3 Occurrences)
...Greediness (3 Occurrences). ... (WEB). Ephesians 4:19 who having become callous gave
themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness. ...
/g/greediness.htm - 7k

Ostrich (9 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Lamentations 4:3), the rendering of Hebrew
pl. enim; so called from its greediness and gluttony. The ...
/o/ostrich.htm - 18k

Greedily (7 Occurrences)

/g/greedily.htm - 8k

Greedy (24 Occurrences)

/g/greedy.htm - 13k

Urge (34 Occurrences)
... to you, and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that
the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness. ...
/u/urge.htm - 15k

Owl (11 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) Hebrews bath-haya'anah, "daughter of greediness"
or of "shouting." In the list of unclean birds (Leviticus 11:16; Deuteronomy 14 ...
/o/owl.htm - 18k

Licentiousness (10 Occurrences)
... DBY RSV). Ephesians 4:19 who having become callous gave themselves up to
lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (See RSV). 1 ...
/l/licentiousness.htm - 9k

Lasciviousness (9 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness,
to work all uncleanness with greediness. (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/l/lasciviousness.htm - 11k

Gorge (19 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) The groove of a pulley. 9. (n.) To swallow; especially, to swallow
with greediness, or in large mouthfuls or quantities. 10. ...
/g/gorge.htm - 12k

Greed (19 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) An eager desire or longing; greediness; as, a greed
of gain. Multi-Version Concordance Greed (19 Occurrences). ...
/g/greed.htm - 12k

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