Greed is one of the most-named sins in Scripture — and one of the most rarely confessed.
Twenty-five verses across both testaments, plus the three biblical antidotes Scripture prescribes for the heart that loves possessions.
What Scripture means by "greed" The Greek word the New Testament uses most often is pleonexia — literally "wanting more." It's not the desire for sufficiency.
It's the appetite that no sufficiency satisfies.
The Hebrew equivalent betsa appears throughout the Old Testament, often translated "unjust gain" or "covetousness." Together they describe the soul that treats possessions as the substance of life.
The Law and the Prophets on greed (1–10) Exodus 20:17 — "You shall not covet… anything that is your neighbor's." The tenth commandment is about the heart.
Exodus 18:21 — Leaders should be "men who hate dishonest gain." Deuteronomy 7:25 — "You shall not covet the silver or gold… and take it for yourself, lest you be ensnared." Joshua 7:21 — Achan's coveting destroyed an army.
Psalm 10:3 — "The wicked boasts… and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord." Psalm 119:36 — "Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to selfish gain." Proverbs 1:19 — "Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors." Proverbs 15:27 — "Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household." Proverbs 28:25 — "A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched." Jeremiah 6:13 — "Everyone is greedy for unjust gain; from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely." Jesus on greed (11–17) Matthew 6:19–21 — "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth." Matthew 6:24 — "You cannot serve God and money." Mark 7:21–22 — Jesus lists "coveting" (pleonexia) among the defilements of the heart.
Luke 12:15 — "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke 12:16–21 — The rich fool.
Bigger barns, hollow soul.
Luke 16:13–14 — Pharisees "lovers of money" ridiculed Jesus' teaching.
Luke 18:22–25 — Rich young ruler.
Greed is a doorway he wouldn't walk away from.
Paul and the apostles on greed (18–25) Romans 1:29 — "Filled with all manner of unrighteousness… covetousness." 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10 — "Greedy" people are not to be welcomed in fellowship without repentance, and "will not inherit the kingdom of God." Ephesians 5:3, 5 — "Covetousness… is idolatry." Colossians 3:5 — "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you… covetousness, which is idolatry." 1 Timothy 3:3, 8 — Elders and deacons must not be "lovers of money" or "greedy for dishonest gain." 1 Timothy 6:9–10 — "Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation… the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils." 2 Timothy 3:2 — In the last days, people will be "lovers of self, lovers of money." Hebrews 13:5 — "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have." Why Paul calls greed idolatry Twice — Ephesians 5:5 and Colossians 3:5 — Paul identifies covetousness as idolatry .
Not like idolatry.
Idolatry itself.
The greedy person looks to created things for what only the Creator can give: identity, security, significance, joy.
The bowing happens in the checkbook before it ever reaches a shrine.
The three biblical antidotes to greed Contentment.
Hebrews 13:5 commands it; Philippians 4:11–13 models it.
Paul learned contentment in plenty and in want — the same Christ supplied both.
Generosity. 1 Timothy 6:18 prescribes it: "be rich in good works, generous and ready to share." You can't simultaneously hoard and give.
Generosity is greed's reverse heart-flow.
Eternal perspective.
Matthew 6:19–21 — "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." When the future is secure in Christ, the present grip relaxes.
Greed will never confess itself.
It always names itself "wisdom," "responsibility," or "prudence." Scripture's gift is the mirror that lets us see it for what it actually is — and the gospel that uproots it.