Greed Among Christians? 10 Ways to Overcome Avarice!

There is just a thin line between greed and ambition to have abundance such that if Christians are not careful, they can easily fall into the other side of selfish desires!
Will you like to know if you have not swung to the other side greed unknowingly? Today’s message will explain some indications to watch out for and how to pull out of the trap. I was once a victim but now I am free!
Jesus Christ warned in the book of Luke chapter 12 verse 15: “…Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)
10 Dangerous Signs of Greed You Must Avoid
1. Lack of Generosity and Compassion
2. Pursuit of riches becomes an obsession
3. Exploiting others for personal gain; common among many false prophets and pastors of our generation.
4. Greedy individuals compare themselves with others and desire what others have.
5. Avarice can drive individuals to lie, cheat, and manipulate circumstances for personal benefit.
6. Greedy people sacrifice everything including health, relationships and integrity, just to gain more.
7. Those entangled in greed often neglect family and friends, placing financial gain above meaningful connections.
8. Greedy people focus entirely on earthly riches while neglecting their spiritual well-being.
9. Greed won’t allow you to be involved in evangelism which involves sharing your wealth with the poor.
10. A greedy person only has selfish love and does not love others.
10 Disastrous Effects of Greed
1. Separation from God
Greed turns your heart away from God and replaces Him with material desires.
2. Spiritual Blindness
It distorts your values, making worldly riches seem more important than eternal life.
3. Loss of Contentment and Peaceful mind
Greedy individuals often experience inner turmoil because they are never satisfied.
4. Dishonesty and Corruption
Avarice leads people to engage in dishonest behaviour to gain more wealth.
5. Obsession with Wealth Over Righteousness
A greedy heart prioritizes material success over godly living.
6. Neglect of Needy
Greed can make you selfish, causing you to ignore the needs of the poor.
7. Idolatry and Rebellion Against God
Greediness is the form of idolatry, replacing God with earthly possessions.
8. Harm to Relationships
It causes conflict, envy, and betrayal among friends, families, church and communities.
9. Loss of Eternal Rewards
Greedy Christians may gain wealth but lose their heavenly inheritance. (Mark 8:36)
10. Judgment and Destruction
The book of Proverbs chapter 15 verse 27 says: “He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.”
10 Smart Ways to Overcome Greed
Many years ago, greed made me lose huge sum of money and nearly commit suicide, but steps below saved me.
1. Recognize Greed as a Sin
The Bible warns against greed as a form of idolatry. Acknowledging its destructive nature is the first step to overcoming it.
Colossians chapter 3 verse 5: “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.”
2. Cultivate Contentment
Contentment is a safeguard against greed. Trusting in God’s provision prevents you from the desire for excessive wealth.
First Timothy chapter 6 verses 6 and 7 – “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”
3. Practice Generosity
Giving to others breaks the hold of greed and reflects God’s nature.
Acts chapter 20 verse 35: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
4. Trust in God’s Provision
Instead of hoarding, trust that God will meet your needs.
Matthew chapter 6 verse 31 to 33: “Do not worry… But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
5. Focus on Eternal Treasures
Don’t lose guard because spirit of greed can tempt you to prioritize earthly wealth over eternal rewards.
Matthew chapter 6 verse 19 and 20: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
6. Avoid Covetousness
Desiring what others have can lead you to discontentment and avarice.
Exodus chapter 20 verse 17: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife… or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
7. Work Diligently and Ethically
Honest labor provides for needs without resorting to selfish gain.
Proverbs chapter 13 verse 11: “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.”
8. Rejecting the Love of Money
Money is not evil but loving it more than God leads to destruction.
First Timothy chapter 6 verse 10: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”
9. Be Humble and Serve Others
Pride and greed often go hand in hand. Humility shifts the focus from self to serving others.
Philippians chapter 2 verses 3 and 4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
10. Meditate on God’s Word
Feeding your spirit with scriptures transforms the heart and diminishes worldly cravings.
Psalm 119 verse 11: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
I implore you to follow the powerful steps above if you notice that your speed to attain abundance is pushing you beyond the thin line that separates contentment from greed.
Greed is a subtle but destructive force that can pull you away from God’s will. The key to overcoming it is to cultivate generosity, humility, and a heart focused on eternal treasures rather than temporary wealth.