DATE: Tuesday 29 September 2026
TOPIC: “THE TRAP OF GREED”
TEXT: Proverbs 1:17–19
MEMORY VERSE: “These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it” – Proverbs 1:18–19.
There is something almost ironic about greed. The passage paints a picture: setting a trap in plain sight will never catch a bird. In the same way, those who plot evil think they are being clever, hiding, planning and waiting for the right moment to take advantage of others.
However, Scripture reveals the truth, they are not trapping others. They are trapping themselves.
Greed pushes people to harm others, to cheat, to take what does not belong to them, all in the pursuit of gain. It may look like progress on the surface, but underneath, it is destruction in motion; since whatever is gained at the expense of others carries a consequence.
Greed does not just affect one person, it spreads. It damages relationships, breaks trust, weakens communities and creates cycles of harm. What was meant to “benefit” one person ends up destroying many.
In the end, it returns to the source. The very plans made to harm others begin to undo the one who created them. The gain becomes loss. The advantage becomes downfall.
This is why Scripture warns us so strongly. God calls us not just to avoid greed, but to love our neighbour, because love builds, while greed destroys. Love gives, while greed takes. Love preserves life, while greed consumes it.
So, the question is not just, “What can I gain?” It is, “At what cost?” Because anything gained outside of God’s way will eventually cost more than it is worth.
PRAYER: Lord, guard my heart from every form of greed. Help me to love others sincerely and to live in a way that brings life, not harm, Amen.