The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.
Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death.
The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly.     Proverbs 21:5-7 HCSB

I was searching for something a few days ago and found a Bible my mom had used. In it, she had a post-it note on Proverbs 13:11 and had made a few notes about that Scripture concerning how different translations referred to the greedy person. Proverbs 13:11 in the HCSB version says, “Wealth gained by fraud will dwindle, but whoever earns it through labor will multiply it.” The same passage in the KJV says, “Wealth gained by vanity…”. In the NKJV this passage says, “Wealth gained by dishonesty…”. The NIV says, “Dishonest money dwindles…”.

I’m not sure why my mom made these notes, obviously she was studying this particular Scripture passage.

Numerous Scripture passages speak of this subject. Proverbs has several. Our Scripture passage today is one of them. Proverbs 28 also talks about greed. Verse 20 says, “A faithful man will have many blessings, but one in a hurry to get rich will not go unpunished.” Verse 22 says, “A greedy man is in a hurry for wealth; he doesn’t know that poverty will come to him.” Verse 24 says, “The one who robs his father or mother and says, ‘That’s no sin’ is a companion to a man who destroys.” Verse 25 says, “A greedy person provokes conflict, but whoever trusts in the LORD will prosper.”

Sadly, as we watch inflation rise at an alarming rate, we also see greed and crime rise with it. The Bible has a lot to say about greed, and it’s not good. Greed is destructive and what’s worse is it has the opposite effect.

The greedy person desires great wealth, but the Bible clearly states that their greed will lead to poverty. It leads to punishment and destruction. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 says those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction and that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils causing some to wander away from the faith and pierce themselves with many pangs.

The Tenth Commandment tells us not to covet. In Luke 12:15, Jesus said, “Take care and be on your guard against all covetousness for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” When we covet what others have it shows dissatisfaction with what God has provided. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Our wealth is found in Jesus Christ. We are to focus on Him. We are told in Matthew 6:33 to focus on Him and His kingdom and He will provide all we need. It doesn’t say all we want, but all we need.

In these financially uncertain days, we must understand that our hope is in Christ. It should not be in money or possessions. We should focus on Him and do the work He has called us to do, knowing He will provide all we need.”

If you find yourself fretting about your financial future and wanting what others have, you need to check yourself. Read what the Bible has to say about covetousness and greed. No good will come from it.

Have a great day!