Is selfishness the same as being greedy?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: Is selfishness the same as being greedy? – R.G.
A: Greed is idolatry and not to be confused with riches, if riches have been earned honestly. But if riches choke out spiritual life, then it is sin. Greed is an intense and selfish desire for something, often something belonging to another. The Bible speaks of greed as covetousness, as in the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20:17).
Greed seeks more than its own in life. It cheats, robs, and slanders to achieve its desires. The Bible teaches that we are born with the sin of covetousness (see Jeremiah 6:13).
Charles Kingsley, a historian, once said, “If you wish to be miserable, think about yourself: about what you want, what you like, what respect people ought to pay you – and then to you, nothing will be pure. You will spoil everything you touch. You will make misery for yourself out of everything good. You will be as wretched as you choose.”
Greed is rated with other sins like wickedness and maliciousness in Romans 1:29. Many people have been blessed by the story of Zacchaeus and challenged to turn from a life of greed to a life of giving – and God’s blessing falls on them when they live according to the attributes of Christ. Everything that we count as our possessions only comprises a loan from God, and it is when we lose sight of this all-pervading truth that we become greedy and covetous. Jesus said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own” (Luke 12:15, NLT).
Greed starves on a steady diet of thanksgiving for what the Lord has given.
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
©2025 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(c)2025 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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