Where is your focus? Do you have inverted eyeballs?
Avarice has ruined more souls than extravagance. ~ Charles Caleb Colton
"If you're not selfish, you're not greedy. If you are greedy, then you're selfish." ~ Liney
God doesn't want your money, He needs nothing really, but He wants your heart and obedience. The Father calls each of us to be faithful and fruitful in His Son. Yep, He wants you, all of you and He delights to use you as well. He blesses you so that you can enjoy Him, His love, it (the blessings) and so you'll become a blessings to others!
You know, and I know, that money of course ain’t evil, never has been. It’s the love of bucks that is. Greed is all about the love of money. You know at it’s base is selfishness and this is at the root of almost all sins. Most of the quarrels and conflicts we have in life occur because self is either being threatened, challenged, or ignored. Do you have self on the throne of your heart so to speak? It is all about us when instead it should be about the Jesus Christ of the Bible and helping others where we can.
“What leads to the unending quarrels and conflicts among you? Do they not come from your hedonistic desires that wage war in your bodily members fighting for control over you?” James 4:1 amp
Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that make war inside you. icb
“What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Isn’t it because there is a whole army of evil desires within you?” tlb
“Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that make war inside you. You want things, but you don’t get them. So you kill and are jealous of others. But you still cannot get what you want. So you argue and fight. You don’t get what you want because you don’t ask God. Or when you ask, you don’t receive anything, because the reason you ask is wrong. You only want to use it for your own pleasure.” James 4:1-3 erv #emph.mine
"But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:9-10 nkjv
"But if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after." 1 Timothy 6:9-10 msg
The downfall of Judas Iscariot was his love of money. Kiss?--he had a deceptive covetous mind (Then Judas, who would betray Him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said it yourself.” Mat. 26:25). He had a greedy hard heart that was determined to betray Jesus just to get the money. Ever notice how Satan doesn't need an invitation to enter into Judas as long as he was willing to do the devil's work. Nope, no gentlemen, he barged right on in. Ever think about money, greed and selfishness much? So ugly! Selfish is not what we want to be!
"A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25
God loves us too much to indulge our every whim. - Max Lucado
The greatest mistake any Christian can make is to substitute his own will for the will of God. - Harry Ironside
Believers are to be considerate of others and prayerful. We are to prioritize our relationships, our goals, our time spent among other things. We want to serve in the will of God. The Bible commands us to be giving as Jesus leads each of us, and to be kind rather than greedy and selfish, for this is the way of righteousness. In the long term, we will find no happiness, joy, or success in selfishness, only isolation and despair. True meaning and love in our lives come from the connection with the Lord, with our family, and with our selfless service for mankind. As we take heed to the bright word of God just remember that the darkness of being selfish or self-serving must fade away.
"No one should seek their own good, but the good of others." 1 Corinthians 10:24
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Where does this selfishness come from? "Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves" James 4:1–2 msg
What does the Bible say that would apply to selfie culture?
What does it mean to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit (Philippians 2:3)?
What does the Bible say about motives?
What does it mean that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6)?
"You should know this, that in the last days, there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves.." 2 Timothy 3:1-2
What does the Bible say about self-gratification?
What does the Bible say about narcissism?
Self-focused.. Self centered. What does the Bible say about ego?
Self worship? Lord of your own life? Can happen, not a smart choice.
What are some modern forms of idolatry?
What does it mean to deny yourself? What is self-denial?
What does the Bible say about self-harm / self-mutilation / cutting?
Should you or I bow to the god of self? Nope, never. Why do that?What does the Bible mean by “dying to self”?
What does it mean that love is not self-seeking (1 Corinthians 13:5)?
What does the Bible say about self-worth?
What does the Bible say about self-defense?
What does the Bible say about self-help methods?
Is “to thine own self be true” in the Bible?
What does it mean that the Bible is self-authenticating?
Greed is using money only for yourself, not for serving God and helping others.
What does the Bible say about self-image?
We all need to judge ourselves, and tell on ourselves to God when we blow it (repenting), so that we won't be judged at the Judgement.
What does the Bible say about self-deception?
How should a Christian view self-esteem?
What does the Bible say about self-sacrifice / being self-sacrificial?
What about self-awareness? Be wisely aware? What is self-actualization?
It's not a good choice when we each can easily be Christ-centered daily.
What does the Bible say about self-hatred?
Throwing a Pity-party? What does the Bible say about self-pity?
An aspect of total depravity is selfishness.. really, it that even biblical?
We are living in a culture that is completely self-absorbed. Consider these stats:
- The Incidence of Narcissistic Personality Disorder is nearly three times as high for people in their twenties as for the generation that’s now 65 or older.
- 58% more college students scored higher on a narcissism scale in 2009 than in 1982.
- Millennials got so many “participation trophies” growing up, that a recent study showed that 40% believe they should be promoted every two years, regardless of performance.
- In the 1970s, people wanted to improve their kids’ chances, so the "self-esteem" movement was born. We were told that all of the social ills of the day were due to low self-esteem, and that we all needed to learn to love ourselves more.
In the 1970s, people wanted to improve their kids’ chances, so the “self-esteem” movement was born. We were told that all of the social ills of the day were due to low self-esteem, and that we all needed to learn to love ourselves more.
Greed is selfishness. It’s using money only for yourself, not for serving God and helping other people.
What subject do you do your best to avoid in a conversation? A 2021 survey of 2,130 Americans 18 and older asked what subjects they regularly discuss with friends.
People, go ahead and make a guess and order these subjects, covered in the survey, by the topic they most regularly discuss with friends to the topic they least regularly discuss with friends: health, relationships, politics, current events, pop culture, money. People like to discuss themselves – Current events, Health, Pop culture, Relationships, Politics, and Money.
Q: How was money discussed in your household when you were growing up?Q: Do you find it difficult to talk about money with friends and family?Q: The Scriptures record Jesus’ talking about money quite a bit. Why do you think we are reluctant to talk about it?
Greed is using money only for yourself, not for serving God and helping others. See Proverbs 11:4, 28–31; 22:1–7; and 29:13.
With riches comes power, but rich or poor, God is the Lord of our lives.
Q: Why is trust in riches a false hope? What happens when we put our trust in wealth?
Q: Why is it more important to have a good reputation than great wealth?
The Bible talks about money quite a bit. In fact, Jesus talked about money a lot. It is the subject of 11 of the 39 parables and one of every seven verses of Jesus’ words. He wasn’t necessarily teaching about how to use your money in all those verses, but He used money as an illustration or teaching tool because money is such a huge part of our lives, and many of us give it the authority in our lives that should belong only to the Lord. As always, the teaching on money from Proverbs is very practical. Solomon was honest about the way the world works – the rich have power over the poor (22:7). Yet, he taught that a good reputation is more valuable than riches (22:1) and that those who trust in their riches will fall (11:28). Solomon also emphasized more than once that, ultimately, whether you’re rich or poor, it is God who has the real control over our lives.
Many of these proverbs are written in different forms of parallelism. Proverbs 22:2 and 29:13 use synthetic parallelism, in which the second line builds on the truth in the first line (instead of contrasting with it). Both proverbs teach that whether you are rich or poor, God is the Lord of your life. He is the One who determines your steps (16:9). He is our Maker (22:2) and “gives light to the eyes” of us all (29:13), an image that refers not only to giving us wisdom and understanding, but also to giving us the light of life (Job 33:30). Even if you feel that your wealth, power or status in this world gives you some sort of control over your life, it is really God who is in control.
Proverbs 11:28 is parallelism that creates a contrast between “those who trust in riches” and “the righteous.” The “green leaf” was an image of fertility and prosperity in the ancient Near East meant to contrast with the brown leaf “falling” off a tree when it is dead, which represents falling to ruin in life. The righteous are those who fear the Lord and trust in Him, not their wealth. There is both a practical and a spiritual dimension to this proverb. Those who trust in their riches for security, power, self-worth or happiness may literally fall financially because it is so easy to lose riches. One bad investment, job loss or serious illness could change your financial situation overnight. But spiritually, even if you never actually lose your wealth, putting your trust in riches will always be empty. Solomon will tell you that money will never make you happy (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
In addition, Solomon said that after death, all the money in the world will do you no good at the Day of Judgment. You cannot buy your way out of it (11:4). Wealth isn’t good or bad in and of itself; it’s a tool that can be used for good or for evil. But putting your hope and trust in wealth instead of the Lord is empty. Money is not “a root of all kinds of evils,” it’s the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10). It’s putting money in the place of God, on the throne of your life. It’s trusting in money for your self-worth, your happiness or your security rather than trusting in God.
Q: In what ways is it tempting to trust in money instead of God in our world?
Q: How have you seen a love of money lead to emptiness in others’ lives or your own? See Proverbs 10:2; 11:1, 23–27; 20:10, 23; 21:6 and Greed is pursuing riches no matter the cost to others or your integrity.
Q: How do these Proverbs contrast between wickedness and righteousness when it comes to money?
In Proverbs 10, when Solomon was past the introduction and started listing individual proverbs, the second one (after contrasting wisdom and foolishness, the overall theme of the book) is a proverb that tells us that gaining treasure by wickedness will only lead to death (10:2). Similar proverbs are sprinkled throughout the book. Solomon said that gaining wealth by lying is “a fleeting vapor and a snare of death” (21:6), that those who hoard wealth for themselves will fall, but those who give freely to others will be blessed (11:23–27), that cheating people in your business practices with unequal weights and measures are an abomination to the Lord (11:1; 20:10; 20:23); and that those who are greedy for unjust gain will trouble their whole household (15:27). Because it is stated so early and repeated so frequently, it’s clearly an important life lesson Solomon wanted his sons (and all of Israel) to understand. Riches and power may come to you, but they are never to be attained by hurting someone or sacrificing your own integrity. This would have been particularly significant for Solomon’s own sons to understand, as they were born into positions of power and wealth.
Several of these proverbs describe wealth that is “gained hastily” rather than worked for over a lifetime (13:11; 20:21; 28:20). Even in the ancient world, wisdom warned against “get rich quick” schemes. Not that you can’t sometimes gain wealth quickly in an honest way, but in general, money gained hastily usually comes through suspect means. Remember, the Proverbs speak in general terms: it is usually the wicked who offer easy money, while the righteous gain wealth through slow-and-steady, diligent, hard work.
Proverbs also warns against hoarding wealth for yourself and encourages those who have wealth to be generous with it. Greed isn’t about how much money you have (or don’t have). It’s about your attitude toward it, which affects what you do with it. Having a lot of money doesn’t make you greedy. Greed isn’t about having, it’s about wanting. It’s an intense and selfish desire for wealth so much so that it’s your focus, which is something that both rich and poor people (and anyone in between) can be guilty of. Proverbs pairs greed with “unjust gain” (1:19; 15:27) because that intense, selfish desire doesn’t care who it hurts on its way to riches. Greed trades integrity for wealth. The greedy hoard what they have for themselves, whether it’s a little or a lot. Those who trust in the Lord may make a lot of money, but they don’t hoard it; they spend it on serving God and helping others.
As a contrast to the greedy, Proverbs says “those who trust in the Lord” are the ones who will really be “enriched” (28:25). It’s a play on words, to emphasize the great irony of life – the one who pursues riches will find himself empty, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched. Jesus said the same thing. “Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25). Greed only leads to emptiness, while pursuing Jesus leads to life, joy, blessing – the true riches in life.
Q: In what ways is greed contrary to a life of trusting in the Lord?
Q: How does being generous lead you to feel more blessed and spiritually enriched? See Proverbs 23:4–5; 27:23–24; and 30:7–9. Pursing riches is a fool’s life; riches are fleeting and empty.
Q: Where do you see greed in our culture today? How does it affect our world?
Q: Why is it preferable to be neither rich nor poor?
Q: Why does Solomon tell us not to spend our lives toiling to acquire wealth?
Proverbs tells us not to waste our lives chasing after wealth, because riches are fleeting. Spending your life pursing wealth is like chasing after the wind (11:28–30). This image of a bird flying off (23:4–5) was a common symbol for fleeting wealth in the ancient world.5 Riches don’t last forever, even in this life (27:24), but they certainly don’t last beyond
this life. As the modern saying goes, “You can’t take it with you.” This is why Jesus called the man who built bigger barns a “fool” in His parable. He spent his whole life building up riches for himself but died without being able to enjoy them. This is what it’s like, Jesus said, when you focus on storing up treasures on earth without being “rich toward God” (Luke 12:13–21). Earthly treasures can be stolen, lost or destroyed, but the treasure we store up in heaven can never be taken away from us (Matthew 6:19–20).
Focusing your life on wealth can also become a form of slavery. As Solomon concluded in Ecclesiastes, those who love money never have enough (5:10). It’s an addiction. Your whole life revolves around working harder to get more until you realize money isn’t giving you the life you imagined it would; it’s controlling you. As the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca said, “The wise man regards wealth as a slave, the fool as a master.” Jesus also called money a potential “master” when He said, “No one can serve two masters.… You cannot serve God and money!” (Matthew 6:24).
In addition to all of that, money is a fool’s errand because it doesn’t give us what we’re really looking for. Evangelical professor Bruce Waltke wrote that “Money’s value is limited (3:13–18). It can build a house, but not a home; it can put food on a table, but not fellowship around it; it can give a woman fur and jewelry, but not the love she really wants.”8 What we really want isn’t the money but what we think money can give us – security, love, joy. But those things can only come from God. Money’s version of those things is superficial, empty and fake. It’s fool’s gold.
Love of money can affect the rich and the poor and everyone in between. It’s not about how much you have or don’t have, it’s about your attitude toward it. But Proverbs tells us it tends to affect those on either extreme most easily. “Give me neither poverty nor
riches” the wise man asks the Lord. If he were rich, he may think he didn’t need God, but poverty may lead him to steal or cheat to get what he needed. So, he asks to live somewhere in the middle. Remember, this is speaking in generalizations. The issue with both extremes is about honoring God – keeping His law and trusting in Him rather than wealth for security, self-worth, meaning and happiness.
Q: In what ways has your attitude toward money evolved as you have matured as a believer?
Q: How would you describe the life of someone who “serves money” (Matthew 6:24)? Why is someone who serves money incapable of also serving God?
Q: What safeguards have you placed in your life to help promote a kingdom mindset concerning your finances?
Comparing our financial standing to others often leaves us wanting more. However, nearly 90 percent of Americans enjoy a standard of living above the global middle income standard. Consider how you have been blessed financially and in other ways. Prayerfully ask the Lord to develop a kingdom-motivated, others-focused, generous heart within you. Let us model our attitude toward generosity after Jesus and commit ourselves to meeting the challenge of Philippians 2:3–6..
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
God who is unselfish can help you live that way too. Come to Christ as you are.
TO PRE-THINK, I CHALLENGE YOU TO: Where is the line between making wise decisions about building wealth for your family’s future and “storing up treasures on earth”? Where is the line between making sure your family is financially secure and trusting in money rather than God to provide? How can you know you are not being driven by a love of money and are really submitting to Christ as the Lord of your life and your only Master?
TO PRAY - WAY SMART: Ask God to reveal to you any way you are letting your life be ruled by a desire for wealth or power (or the things that come with them) rather than by Him. Ask Him to show you any ways you let a desire for wealth or power dictate your decisions or the way you relate to other people. Ask Him to examine your heart deeply and honestly: Are there any ways that you are greedy, that you pursue wealth no matter the cost to others or to your integrity?
TO ACT SELFLESSLY - UNSMART: To Bless someone is a way better idea. Think of at least one way you can bless someone else financially this week. If you don’t have a lot of money, it can be something simple. If you have greater wealth, think bigger about how you can be generous with what God has given you.
Do not be misguided. God guides the upright in their integrity (v. 3) because they desire what God desires (Prov. 11:23). They sow righteousness (v. 18) and flourish like a healthy tree (vv. 28, 30). The upright are a blessing to others (vv. 10–11), and they gain a sure reward (v. 18). See Prov. 11 chapter and discover what happens to the wicked. The repeated “do not” reminds you that there are some things God does not want His children to do.
Do not desire luxuries (See Prov. 23:1–3), even when the rich offer them to you. You may get an appetite for such things and start living to get rich (vv. 4–5). But riches fly away, while character remains for eternity. At the same time, do not get friendly with miserly people (vv. 6–8). No matter how much they offer you, their hearts are not with you. It is not the food on the table but the love in the heart that makes fellowship real and lasting.
Do not speak carelessly around fools (v. 9), for they will misunderstand and misquote you and get you into trouble. Do not change the boundaries that men and God have made (vv. 10–11; 22:28; Deut. 19:14). This is robbery and oppression, and God will judge it.
Do not fail to discipline your child (vv. 13–14), so that he or she might have wisdom and bring you joy (vv. 15–16). No matter what other families may do, do not envy sinners (vv. 17–18), but trust the Lord and obey Him. Set a good example by respecting your parents (v. 22).
Do not mix with drunkards and gluttons lest you become like them (vv. 19–21). Do not even look at the wine (vv. 29–35) lest you end up embarrassed and bruised.
Do not sell the truth at any price (v. 23)! It costs something to live by the truth, but it costs even more to abandon the truth.
Do not selfishly misspend. What To Buy? The Truth. Can't Pay for Salvation Though. “Buy the truth, and do not sell it” is the advice of Proverbs 23:23. Lot sold the truth for a home in the city (Gen. 13:1–13), and Esau sold the truth for a mess of pottage (Gen. 25:29–34). King Saul sold the truth for the support of the people (1 Sam. 15:24–35). Judas sold the truth for thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 26:14–16), and Pilate sold the truth for the approval of the crowd (Mark 15:15). It is not worth it!
