www.crosswalk.com Open in urlscan Pro
2606:4700:20::ac43:4092  Public Scan

Form analysis
1 forms found in the DOM

GET /search/

<form id="searchPopoverForm" class="searchPopoverForm" method="get" action="/search/">
  <input type="text" name="q" id="q" placeholder="Search">
  <a id="searchSubmit" onclick="if($('#q').val() != ''){ $('#searchPopoverForm').submit(); return; } return false;" href="#">&nbsp;</a>
</form>

Text Content

 * Join Plus
 * Plus Login
 *  

 
Toggle navigation
 * BROWSE TOPICSX
 *  * Join Plus
    * Plus Login

 * Plus
 * Devotionals Devotionals>
   * << MAIN MENUX
   * Devotionals
   * In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley
   * Your Daily Prayer
   * CW PLUS Video Devo
   * Your Daily Bible Verse
   * The Crosswalk Devotional
   * iBelieve Truth Women's Devotional
   * Crosswalk Couples
   * Girlfriends in God
   * Encouragement for Today
   * First15
   * See All Devotionals
 * Faith Faith>
   * << MAIN MENUX
   * Faith
   * Spiritual Life
   * Bible Study
   * Prayer
   * Women
   * Men
   * Seniors
   * Quotes
 * Family Family>
   * << MAIN MENUX
   * Family
   * Marriage
   * Divorce and Remarriage
   * Singles
   * Parenting
   * Grandparenting
   * Homeschool
   * Career
   * Finances
 * Church Church>
   * << MAIN MENUX
   * Church
   * Pastors / Leadership
   * Ask Roger
   * Worship
 * News & Culture News & Culture>
   * << MAIN MENUX
   * News & Culture
   * Headlines
   * Movies
   * Music Videos
   * Podcasts
   * Television
   * Books
   * Christian Music
 * More More>
   * << MAIN MENUX
   * More
   * Holidays & Special Coverage
   * Video
   * Blogs
   * Inspirations
   * eCards
   * Christian Colleges
   * Write for Us
   * About Us
 * Newsletters
 * Plus


10 SIGNS YOU ARE CONTROLLED BY GREED

 * Meg Bucher Writer and Author
 * 2023 1 May



Greed, “a selfish and excessive desire for more of something than is needed”
(Merriam-Webster), can creep in the back door of our hearts and quickly take
over our well-intended desires to live generously in the love and peace of
Christ.

“Greed is condemned by Scripture as contrary to the purposes of God” (Dictionary
of Bible Themes, #5870). We’ve been warned that the devil is a liar and that
he’s shifty, but we cannot blame him for all of our inclinations to give in to
temptation. Before it expands to corrupt our foundation, here are ten signs we
are being controlled by greed.

Photo credit: Unsplash/Alexander Mils



Read more   



 * 1. BLAME
   
   Slide 1 of 10
   
   “The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper”
   (Proverbs 28:25). 
   
   When we find ourselves alienated and blaming everyone else for it, that’s a
   sign to turn inward and ask God to illumine our part in the conflict. On a
   mission to rally influence for our side of the battle, we can lose the inward
   ability to see what we may be spewing across enemy lines. 
   
   “But those who trust the Lord will prosper.” The best remedy for conflict is
   to pray and repent of our part in it. Other’s “horrible” qualities are
   noticeable because they are things that we may be struggling with ourselves.
   Anytime we look to the left and right to point a blaming finger, it’s a
   warning to look in the mirror. 
   
    
   
   Photo credit: ©Thinkstock/SIphotography
   
   
     Previous
   1 of 10
   
   Share this
   Next  
   


 * 2. NEVER ENOUGH
   
   Slide 2 of 10
   
   “Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of
   greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15). 
   
   It’s easy to be entangled in the sin of accumulation. Even the lowest budget
   can be consumed by dollar-bin items. The danger in losing sight of the
   dollar’s value is that we are ignoring the abundance of blessings in our
   lives on the quest to accumulate more. Impulse buying is a pathway to greed. 
   
   People are starving to death right now, and clean drinking water is lacking
   in large parts of this world. Recalling those in need can help us keep the
   accumulation of our stuff in check. Instead of throwing a quarter in the
   machine for a plastic toy, or grabbing that cute jar out the dollar bin to
   add to our holiday decor, perhaps we could begin to place that change in the
   drive-through donation, or buy a can of food for the local food pantry. 
   
    
   
   Photo credit: ©Thinkstock
   
   
     Previous
   2 of 10
   
   Share this
   Next  
   


 * 3. GUILT GIVING
   
   Slide 3 of 10
   
   “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the
   cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness’” (Luke
   11:39). 
   
   If our pockets are always empty, we could have a greed problem. When our
   littles look up at us for money to throw in the red bucket at Christmastime
   and we have no change left to give, the flag on greed has been thrown. There
   is a reason God asks us to give our tithe first, but what about the way our
   hearts desire to give to others impulsively? 
   
   Living paycheck to paycheck is a reality for many, but maybe we can practice
   keeping a little loose change in our pockets for times such as these. To
   prepare in advance to give is to model cheerful generosity. 
   
    
   
   Photo credit: ©Thinkstock
   
   
     Previous
   3 of 10
   
   Share this
   Next  
   


 * 4. EXCUSES
   
   Slide 4 of 10
   
   “They invent ways of doing evil” (Romans 1:30). 
   
   If it warrants an excuse, it could be greed. No one is going to question our
   motives when we pay our water bill, but why do we get mad at our spouses at
   the mere mention of our Amazon Prime activity? 
   
   We often deflect what we internally wish to deny. Practice admitting
   irrational purchases. The mere acknowledgement of it is the start of healing.
   Hiding our greed is deceitful. That’s how one sin leads to another; from
   greed, to lies, to anger flaring in defense of our own mistakes.
   
    
   
   Photo credit: ©Thinkstock
   
   
     Previous
   4 of 10
   
   Share this
   Next  
   


 * 5. GOSSIP
   
   Slide 5 of 10
   
   “They are gossips” (Romans 1:30). 
   
   Gossip can be a sign of greed. Taking the liberty of aligning someone with
   our agenda is dangerous. Comparison and gossip are closely linked when spoken
   out loud. Listen to how one leads right into the other. 
   
   “Well, she bought those earrings at the store….” “Her daughter has it, so
   mine should, too …” “She stays at home, so should I.” 
   
   When we compare gifts and possessions with others, we are letting greed run
   away with unrealistic desires. God’s intention for our lives is fullness and
   blessing. He gives us all we need, and instructs a grateful heart. Listing
   what we are thankful for helps thwart this heartache. Listen to the
   difference: 
   
   “Wow, I am so grateful I get to …” “I’m so thankful for …” “We are so blessed
   …”
   
   The other half of the comparison will drop-off when our focus is on what we
   have already been blessed with. 
   
    
   
   Photo credit: ©Thinkstock/Dolgachov
   
   
     Previous
   5 of 10
   
   Share this
   Next  
   


 * 6. PRIDE
   
   Slide 6 of 10
   
   “They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and
   depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are
   … arrogant and boastful …” (Romans 1:29-31). 
   
   Pride can be blanketed around most of our heart problems, but arrogance is
   its close friend. Taking credit for the gifts God has given us is greedy. 
   
   God gives all of us talents and gifts. He blesses us beyond what we deserve.
   Untwist greed by acknowledging Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us and the
   gift of grace we are all welcome to live within when we accept Him as our
   Savior. Working hard with the gifts He has given honors Him, and gives us
   peace.
   
    
   
   Photo credit: ©Thinkstock/SIphotography
   
   
     Previous
   6 of 10
   
   Share this
   Next  
   


 * 7. DISOBEDIENCE
   
   Slide 7 of 10
   
   “They disobey their parents” (Romans 1:30).
   
   When looking for someone to marry, one of the most popular tidbits of advice
   is to pay attention to how they treat their parents. Someone who does not
   have a basic respect for their mother and father has a definite issue with
   greed. 
   
   Children aren’t the only ones who blatantly disobey their parents. Those who
   go before us carry a wisdom from walking with Christ that we are to honor and
   respect, especially, parents. 
   
   Backing down from an argument or a principle out of honor and respect for our
   elders and parents takes discipline and selflessness. It says a lot about us,
   and our trust that God will defend us like He says He will. As Christians, we
   are called to obey our Father whether we understand or not. It’s not a
   struggle for power, but a trusting of the heart.
   
    
   
   Photo credit: ©Thinkstock/pecaphoto77
   
   
     Previous
   7 of 10
   
   Share this
   Next  
   


 * 8. NO VACANCY
   
   Slide 8 of 10
   
   When we’re out of clothes hangers, greed could be creeping into our closets.
   An overstocked pantry could signal the same, as could a garage that we can’t
   park cars in, basements that have become a place to store what we no longer
   need, and children’s playrooms that we can no longer walk through with out
   tripping.
   
   Our homes reflect our hearts. It’s important to take the time to remove what
   we no longer need. Excess can be donated to help someone less fortunate.
   Physically parting with things is a healthy way to keep our hearts in check.
   If we have a hard time doing that, it’s time let go a little at a time. 
   
    
   
   Photo credit: ©Thinkstock
   
   
     Previous
   8 of 10
   
   Share this
   Next  
   


 * 9. INSENSITIVITY
   
   Slide 9 of 10
   
   Our society labels sensitive feelings as weakness. The Bible warns of this
   behavior. “Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to
   sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of
   greed” (Ephesians 4:19). 
   
   The word “sensitivity”, translated back to the Greek this verse was written
   in, conveys the meaning “to cease to feel pain or grief” (Strongs 524). It
   can also mean apathetic. If we find ourselves unaffected by people in need or
   by overabundance of blessing in our lives, greed has most certainly taken up
   residence in our hearts. 
   
    
   
   Photo credit: ©Thinkstock/SIphotography
   
   
     Previous
   9 of 10
   
   Share this
   Next  
   


 * 10. INFLUENCE
   
   Slide 10 of 10
   
   “Have nothing to do with them” (2 Timothy 3:5). 
   
   Paul warns us more than once in the New Testament to be aware of our company,
   and the power of influence they have on us. When we are surrounding ourselves
   with greedy people, we can wholeheartedly expect that it will influence our
   hearts, too. 
   
   Make sure the truths that we live by daily line up with what God’s Word says.
   The best way to keep greed from influencing us is by reading the Word
   everyday. Love always has a more profound effect steering us. When we are
   focused on Christ, greed cannot permanently take root in our hearts. 
   
    
   
   Photo credit: ©Thinkstock/Ingram Publishing
   
   Meg writes about everyday life within the love of Christ on her blog,
   http://sunnyand80.org. “Mom” is the most important calling on her life, next
   to encouraging others to seek Him first … authentically. A writer, mom, youth
   worship leader/teacher and Bible Study leader, she can often be found having
   some kind of an adventure in the small little lake town where she resides
   with her husband of ten years, two daughters, and their Goldendoodle.
   
    
   
   
   
     Previous
   NEXT: 10 Things You Need to Know about the Number 666
   


 

[Fotos] Eva Habermann ist 47 Jahre alt geworden, so lebt sie in letzter Zeit
Authors Pick
x
Find Out More >
14,605

NEXT: 10 Things You Need to Know about the Number 666


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of Salem
Media Group.
Other Salem Web Network sites include:
 * Bible Study Tools
 * Jesus.org
 * Christianity.com
 * Christian Videos
 * Christian Jobs
 * Free Online ecards
 * Christian Ministry Video
 * Christian Ministry Radio
 * Christian Entertainment Reviews
 * Advertise with Us

Copyright © 2023, Crosswalk.com. All rights reserved. Article Images Copyright ©
Getty Images unless otherwise indicated.
 * About Us
 * Contact Us
 * Privacy Policy
 * Terms of Use
 * Crosswalk App
 * California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information
 * California - CCPA Notice