From a Catholic perspective, greed—also called avarice—is a deadly sin that fixates the heart on material wealth, turning it away from God and neighbor, and risking eternal loss.
Greed, or avarice, is an excessive desire for wealth or possessions, placing them above God. It’s a sin that enslaves the heart, as Jesus warns in Matthew 6:24: “You cannot serve both God and money” (CCC 2536).
Greed seeks wealth for selfish ends, while ambition can aim for good if ordered toward God’s will. The greedy hoard or exploit, ignoring charity. Ambition becomes greed when it prioritizes gain over love of neighbor. The Church sees this tipping point as a moral failing (CCC 2535).
Greed is deadly because it idols wealth, severing trust in God’s providence. It can lead to mortal sin if it fully rejects divine love for material gain. Unchecked, it risks eternal separation, as 1 Timothy 6:10 notes: “The love of money is the root of all evil” (CCC 1866).
Greed’s roots lie in Scripture, like Exodus 20:17’s commandment against coveting. Early Church Fathers, including St. Gregory the Great, listed it among the seven deadly sins for its corrosive power. It reflects a betrayal of stewardship, hoarding what God gives for all. Jesus’ warnings, like the rich fool in Luke 12:15-21, cemented its place. The tradition sees it as a universal temptation to disorder love.
Greed appears in obsessing over luxury, cheating others for profit, or neglecting the poor while chasing wealth. It’s the CEO who cuts wages to boost stock prices, ignoring human dignity (CCC 2538).
Greed shifts focus from God to goods, drying up prayer and trust in His care. It breeds anxiety, as possessions never satisfy the soul’s deeper hunger. Over time, it hardens the heart against generosity, as seen in the rich young man who left Jesus sad (Mark 10:22). The Church warns it chokes spiritual growth, replacing grace with grasping. It’s a subtle idol that promises security but delivers emptiness. Only detachment can break its grip (CCC 2547).
Luke 12:15 has Jesus say, “Guard against all greed, for one’s life does not consist in abundance.” Colossians 3:5 calls greed “idolatry,” equating it with worshiping false gods. These verses urge a heart fixed on eternal, not earthly, riches.
Greed shows in constant discontent, envying others’ wealth, or stinginess despite having enough. It’s feeling entitled to more while begrudging charity. Examination of conscience reveals it in reluctance to share or trust God. The Church calls this a sign to repent (CCC 2539).
Generosity and detachment counter greed, turning the heart outward to God and others. The Church teaches giving freely, as in Acts 20:35, heals avarice’s wounds (CCC 1803).
Yes, greed can be overcome with grace, prayer, and acts of giving that retrain the heart. Scripture, like Matthew 6:33—“Seek first the kingdom of God”—guides this shift. Confession helps uproot its roots, renewing trust in providence. The Church urges small steps, like tithing, to build detachment. Over time, love replaces the lust for more (CCC 2541).