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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Dear Rev. Graham: I like nice things and some say I’m greedy, but what is wrong with wanting to do well in life and accumulate things that you’ve worked for and earned? – G.A.

 

Dear G.A.: Greed is an unreasonable or all-absorbing desire to acquire things or wealth. It can take all kinds of forms (including a grasping desire for money, possessions, luxury, food, power, or any number of other things).

One test of greed is that it is never satisfied. The Prophet Isaiah said of the greedy of his own day, “They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough” (Isaiah 56:11, NIV). Another test is that the greedy person has little or no regard for the needs of others and may think nothing of hurting others or taking advantage of others in order to get more. His life is dominated by selfishness.

Greed is repeatedly condemned in the Bible. One of the Ten Commandments declares that we should not covet our neighbor’s house or anything he owns (see Exodus 20:17). Why is this true? One reason is that a greedy person is only concerned about himself – and is therefore not concerned with God and His will. One of the writers of Proverbs prayed, “Give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’” (Proverbs 30:8–9, NLT).

It is not wrong to want to work and earn a decent living; in fact, God has given work to us. But this legitimate desire can very easily cross the line into greed, especially in our materialistic society. We need to be on guard against greed. But above all, we need to be sure our lives are centered in Christ and not things, for Jesus warned: “Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own” (Luke 12:15, NLT).

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)