Proverbs 15: King James Bible
Greedy of Gain – Daily Devotion of Proverbs chapter fifteen, Verse 27
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
Daily Inspiration from These Verses – Greedy of Gain
I marvel at the wording here. This isn’t a simple rebuke on greedy people, but is a bit more particular as it calls out gain.
We can be greedy for gain, and have no care at all about money in and of itself. Sitting here, I’ve come up with a few examples that may fall under the umbrella that this verse has stretched out.
We all can wind up being greedy for:
- Friends
- Social Standing
- Social Media Followers
- Belongings
- Food
- Misc Stuff
- Noteriety
- And of course, Money
I’m sure you’ll be able to come up with some different examples yourself. None of the things in the list above is at all a problem, nor a sin. But greed for it, will cause you to do whatever it takes, to achieve an end.
I see greed not simply as an iniquity, but is akin to a pipe, through which all manner of sin is able to flow. The area in which there is greed, will draw upon a particular sinful skill set, in order to achieve the goal that one is greedy to gain.
For example, I believe this is a cause for gossip. A talebearer would be considered greedy to gain something from his tale. It doesn’t make any difference to them, whether or not they slander, or wrongfully break into pieces someone’s reputation.
You can see this happen between friends, and also in the workplace. What’s the motive? To cause others to think better of you, than someone else. Particularly in the workplace, these would be actions of someone (or people) greedy for gain.
Gain better positions, promotions, or an attempt to weasel your way toward better relations with the boss. Having taken part in all kinds of different positions (production and office) over the years, I’ve seen it happen over and over again.
Not very often will you find anyone saying things that are positive, about another that may threaten their position for whatever the reason. People get picked apart, back stabbed, thrown under the bus, all for the sake of gain.
In the second half of the verse above, we see the word gifts being used as something we should hate. Having looked this up in Strong’s Concordance, you find that the Hebrew word being defined as “gifts,” is the word “mattanah.”
Gifts is a fine transliteration, but it also means a few other things. It ranges from a present, to a sacrifice, but also a bribe. It is the bribe, that I believe this verse speaking about.
We think of gifts as a one way act of kindness. But the gift turns into a bribe, if there’s a motive behind it that requires some sort of action, so the gift giver gets something that they want in return. In my opinion, whether or not something given is a gift or a bribe, depends on the giver.
The Lord has a thing or two against bribes(Exodus 23:8), taking bribes, and giving with the intention to bribe. It comes down to what we always find. That the Lord takes the greatest issue with the condition of the heart.
Intentions, responses, thoughts, and actions, all pour out of our hearts. When we take a look at ourselves honestly, and hold these things against the Word of God, we can get a better picture what our current heart condition may be.
Related New Testament Scripture
Matthew 16: King James Bible
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Luke 9: King James Bible
25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
Romans 13: King James Bible
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Philippians 3: King James Bible
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
1 Timothy 6: King James Bible
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Prayer
Father,
Thank you for all that you’ve given, and continue to give. Thank you for your Word, and for feeding our spirits through the power you have impregnated it with. Please keep us mindful Lord, about the various temptations that come to cause for greed and gain to take root, and dismantle our own house. Keep us safe from these things Father, and grant us the strength, wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, through you, to keep out of the traps set up by the enemy. This we pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen
Question
Have you ever fallen victim of someone who is greedy for gain?