Words of the Wise #18



An Owner’s Manual for Daily Living #16

‘‘The Green-Eyed Monster of Greed’’

selected Proverbs

I’m not sure how the color green became associated with greed, but I’m sure we’ve all heard sayings such as, “He’s green with envy.” We have a joke at our house about our two tiny-toy red poodles: Do you know how to make a red poodle green? Answer: Pet the other one!

Interestingly, both emerge in Scripture from the same Hebrew term qua-nah, which means “to be intensely red.” It is descriptive of one whose face is flushed as a sudden surge of blood announces the rush of emotion.[1] According to the Bible, you can be so green with envy that you see red!

When it comes to everyday living, though, the green-eyed monster of greed is no laughing matter. Billy Graham, in his book, Freedom from the Seven Deadly Sins, speaks of avarice (another word for greed) as “probably the parent of more evil than all the other sins.” He goes on to add, “This sin of avarice is as much a part of the natural man as breathing. From babyhood to old age it motivates our actions and shapes our behavior patterns.”[2] He calls greed “the great sin of America,” and concludes that it is “probably the greatest stumbling block to the kingdom of heaven in America today.”[3]

What do we mean by “greed”? Webster defines the term as “a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (as money) than is needed.”[4] Another author (ironically named Gene Green) defines it as “the insatiable and excessive desire to have more and more money; it thinks nothing of using another person or another’s property to gain its own ends.”[5]

We’ve seen how several different terms can be used in this regard, such as greed, avarice, and envy. Three key words are:

• Jealousy: The desire to keep what one already has

• Envy: The desire to have what someone else has (akin to “covetousness”)

• Greed: The desire for more than what one has (whether someone else has it or not)

In the movie, “Wall Street,” corporate investor Gordon Gecko states, “Greed is good.” By and large American capitalism agrees with that sentiment. But what does God say about it?

Since we just completed a study of what Proverbs says about money, let’s take a look at what Proverbs says about what money can buy. Once again, the attitudes we take toward these things have more to say about us morally than the possessions themselves.

Greed Will Corrupt

The first truth found in the book of Proverbs on the subject is that greed will corrupt. Proverbs 14:30 states simply, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” We will examine the first half of this verse later in this study, but notice the last half: “envy rots the bones.” Greed is like cancer: It grows secretly and robs us of spiritual health, and the only remedy is to cut it out.[6]

How does this play out in our daily living? Consider this: A number of people were asked a hypothetical question—What would you do in exchange for ten million dollars? Among the shocking responses were these:

• 25 percent would abandon their family.

• 25 percent would abandon their church.

• 23 percent would become a prostitute for a week.

• 16 percent would give up their American citizenship.

• 16 percent would leave their spouse.

• 13 percent would put their children up for adoption.

• 7 percent would murder a complete stranger.[7] 

See how greed corrupts? Greed distorts our values so that things become more important than people or even God. And greed is relative. Greed is not defined by what something costs; it is measured by what it costs you. If anything costs you your faith or your family, the price is too high.[8]

Proverbs 28:25 states, “A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.” Here we see how greed corrupts relationships. The greedy man is completely selfish and usually ruthless toward others. Instead of “loving people and using things,” this man “loves things and uses people.” His attitudes and actions stir up strife because people do not long tolerate him. He pushes so hard for the things he wants that his zeal becomes a hinderance to obtaining them. (One intersting sidelight: In the original Hebrew, the “greedy man” literally has a “large appetite”—i.e., the ovewhelming desire for more—but it is the one who trusts in the Lord who, literally, “will be made fat.”[9])

The extent of the corruption of greed is seen in Proverbs 24:1-2, “Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble.” Greed often leads to violence, as the desire for more destroys anyone in the way. How many times do we hear of a group of thieves who eventually turn on each other because they are unwilling to share what they steal? Violence and greed often go hand in hand.

One last area of corruption comes in our relationship with God. Because we are inherently selfish, our prayer requests often reflect more greed than need.[10] James 4:2-3 inform us,

You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

We must, in the words of Jesus, “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; [for] a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). If we are not careful, greed can corrupt our relationship with God, causing us to be more interested in what God can do for us than what we can do for God.

Greed Will Consume

Secondly, greed will consume. Practically speaking, greed is an inordinate desire for more, an excessive, unsatisfied hunger to possess. Like an untamed beast, greed grasps, claws, reaches, clutches, and clings—stubbornly refusing to surrender. The word enough is not in this beast’s vocabulary.[11] Swindoll points out,

The Greeks had a curious word they used when referring to greed…”a thirst for having more.” To illustrate, it’s probably fanciful yet fairly descriptive to think of a fellow who is thirsty taking a drink of salt water, which only makes him thirstier. His thirst causes him to drink even more, which ultimately results in making him terribly sick. And if he continues to drink he could die. That’s the whole point of greed. You’ll want more and more of something that really isn’t good for you. And in the getting of it, you’ll suffer the painful consequences. That is why Jesus warns, “Beware. Be on your guard. This thing is like a cancer—an insatiable leech that will suck the life right out of you.” Enough will never be enough, which explains the reason our Lord adds: “... for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” Life does not—cannot—revolve around things if one hopes to achieve true excellence.[12]

In Proverbs 27:4, Solomon warns, “Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?” This is an example of a progressive proverb, where the second phrase builds on the first. Anger and fury are cruel and overwhelming, but jealousy (a sister of greed) is even worse. Why? Fury and anger are often short-lived, but jealousy continually gnaws away at a person and is therefore more consuming.[13] It is no wonder that John MacArthur refers to this as “the most uncontrollable sin.”[14]

In the same chapter of Proverbs, verse twenty states, “Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man.” Death never takes a day off or says, “Well, I guess that’s enough for now.” Neither does greed in the heart of man. John D. Rockefeller, who perhaps accumulated more money than he could ever spend, was once asked how much money was enough; he replied with a perfect definition of greed: “Just a little bit more.”[15] A contemporary Christian song written some time ago captures this idea: “You’ve got more than you need but less than you want—I guess there’s just no satisfying greed.”[16]

Greed Will Condemn

Finally, greed will condemn. Paul writes in Colossians 3:5-6, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.” Did you notice that? Greed is considered idolatry. That’s commandment number one! “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). We think of idolatry as natives in some third-world country bowing before a tree or a rock, but God calls greed idolatry because a greedy heart puts something else in the place that God rightfully should occupy in our lives.[17]

And what happens if we allow greed to run rampant in our lives? Paul concludes in verse 6, “Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.” God will not tolerate greed. If ignored, it can become a terminal illness of the soul.[18] As Billy Graham puts it, greed “first claims our souls, then seals our destiny.”[19]

Jesus told a parable emphasizing this in Luke 12:16-21,

“The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 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 all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things 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 anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”

After billionaire John D. Rockefeller died, someone asked his head accountant how much he had left behind. “All of it,” came the reply.[20] One of my favorite sayings comes from Chuck Swindoll: “You’ll never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul.” You truly can’t take it with you. But if we let material things—and the desire to always have more—corrupt and consume us, it will ultimately condemn us.

The Alternative to Greed: Contentment

I don’t want to end this message on a negative note, though. Scripture provides an alternative to greed: contentment. From the pages of Proverbs throughout the rest of the Bible, we are commanded to cultivate an attitude of contentment.

Earlier we considered Proverbs 14:30, particularly the negative second phrase: “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Notice, though, the effect of contentment. Knox translates this phrase, “Peace of mind is health of body.”[21] A healthy mind produces a healthy body, while greed destroys physical health.[22]

Proverbs 19:23 states, “The fear of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” I like how Derek Kidner succinctly summarizes this verse: “Godliness satisfies.”[23] When we take God seriously and live with eternity’s priorities in view (which is a good definition of “the fear of the Lord”), we will find contentment. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:6-11,

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

This was no theoretical ideal, either, for Paul, as he shares in Philippians 4:11-13,

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Notice how contentment is not dependent upon how much a person has. Just as greed can afflict the rich and poor alike, so contentment can be found regardless of a person’s financial situation. This does not come naturally, though; Paul had to “learn” the secret of being content.

A major part of contentment comes in trusting God’s provision for us. Throughout Scripture we are promised that God will provide for His own. Now we must be careful, as Warren Wiersbe points out, “God does not satisfy our ‘greeds,’ but he does supply our needs.”[24] We may not get everything we want, but we will have everything we need.

But how do we pull this off? How do we defeat the green-eyed monster of greed in our own lives? Greed is such a basic component of our self-centered sin nature that sometimes it seems impossible to remove. I like how the Women’s Study Bible puts it:

You escape envy only by giving your desires to God so that He might satisfy them in His timing and by His methods. When you do so, you find that the love of God transforms your emotions. Contentment with what you have and in whatever state you find yourself replaces envy. You will receive a new long-range perspective of what is really important.[25]

Priorities. Perspective. Peace.

When we choose to adopt God’s priorities and His eternal perspective, we will enjoy His peace. We will stop worrying about what we have (or don’t have) and comparing ourselves to what others have. We will spend less time and energy on things that ultimately will not last, and spend more time and energy on what does last forever.

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[1]Charles R. Swindoll, Living Beyond the Daily Grind, volume 2 (Dallas: Word Publishers, ©1988).

[2]Billy Graham, Freedom from the Seven Deadly Sins (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, ©1955).

[3]Ibid.

[4]Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, eleventh ed. (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2003).

[5]Gene L. Green, The Letters to the Thessalonians, The Pillar New Testament commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans Pub; Apollos, 2002).

[6]Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Skillful (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, ©1995).

[7]James Patterson and Peter Kim, The Day America Told the Truth (New York: Prentice Hall, 1991), as quoted in Discipleship Journal, September–October 1991, 16.

[8]Max Lucado, When God Whispers Your Name (Dallas: Word Publishers, 1994).

[9]Allen P. Ross, “Proverbs,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 5: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, ©1991).

[10]Lehman Strauss, In God’s Waiting Room (Chicago: Moody Press, ©1984).

[11]Charles R. Swindoll, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity (Waco, TX: Word Publishing, 1987).

[12]Ibid.

[13]William MacDonald and Arthur Farstad, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, ©1995).

[14]John F. MacArthur, Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible (Nashville: Word Publishers, ©1997).

[15]Warren Heard, “Luke’s Attitude Toward The Rich And The Poor,” Trinity Journal Volume 9 (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1988; 2002), 9:80.

[16]“More Than You Need,” from the album Hold On Tight! by Sweet Comfort Band,

[17]Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Skillful (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, ©1995).

[18]Charles R. Swindoll, Living Beyond the Daily Grind, volume 2 (Dallas: Word Publishers, ©1988).

[19]Billy Graham, Freedom from the Seven Deadly Sins (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, ©1955).

[20]Michael P. Green, Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, ©1989).

[21]William MacDonald and Arthur Farstad, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, ©1995).

[22]Dorothy Kelley Patterson, Woman’s Study Bible (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, ©1995).

[23]Derek Kidner, Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, ©1964).

[24]Warren W. Wiersbe, Be What You Are: 12 Intriguing Pictures of the Christian from the New Testament (Wheaton IL: Tyndale House, ©1988).

[25]Dorothy Kelley Patterson, Woman’s Study Bible (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, ©1995).

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