Proverbs: Lust of the Eyes (Greed) - Steve Gregg

https://thenarrowpath.com | In his lecture titled "Proverbs: Lust of the Eyes," Steve Gregg explores the biblical concept of the "lust of the eyes" as described in 1 John 2, distinguishing it from the lusts of the flesh by focusing on the desire for visually appealing possessions that signify greed rather than necessity. Drawing from Proverbs and other scriptures, Gregg explains the Hebrew idiom of a "good eye" (generosity) versus an "evil eye" (greed), using examples like Matthew 6:19--24 and Proverbs 28:22 to highlight the dangers of seeking wealth for its own sake, which can lead to false security and shallow relationships. He emphasizes that virtues such as love, integrity, peace, and the fear of the Lord—gained through meditating on God's Word—are far more valuable than material wealth, which is fleeting and unreliable. Gregg shares a personal anecdote about dispersing a large insurance settlement to maintain his reliance on God, underscoring that Christians are stewards of God's resources and should prioritize spiritual values over material pursuits. | Transcript: https://opentheo.org/i/5683542729742041443/proverbs-money-part-1 (incorrectly titled Money)

Outline of Steve Gregg’s Lecture on Proverbs: Lust of
the Eyes
Introduction
• Exploration of the "lust of the eyes" as one of the world’s traps, as described in 1 John 2, distinct from the lusts of the flesh.
• Clarification that "lust" refers to desire, not solely sexual desire; the lust of the eyes involves desiring things that are visually appealing but not necessarily tied to physical needs.
• Example from Genesis 3:6: Eve’s temptation involved the fruit being pleasant to the eye, illustrating the lust of the eyes as a desire for attractive possessions.

Definition of Lust of the Eyes
• Refers to the desire to acquire visually appealing items (e.g., fancy cars, jewelry, decorations) that do not satisfy physical needs but appeal to aesthetic senses.
• Part of the broader category of greed: wanting to possess items for their attractiveness or status, not their utility.
• God-given aesthetic sense is not inherently wrong; humans are created to appreciate beauty, reflecting God’s image, but this can become problematic when it drives acquisitiveness.

Biblical Idioms: Good Eye vs. Evil Eye
• Hebrew idiom: A "good eye" signifies generosity; an "evil eye" signifies greed.
• Examples in Scripture:
– Matthew 6:19–24: Jesus contrasts laying up treasures on earth (greed, evil eye) with treasures in heaven (generosity, good eye).
– Matthew 20:15: In the parable of the vineyard workers, the employer rebukes murmurers for having an "evil eye" (greed) because of his generosity.
– Proverbs 28:22: A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, unaware that
poverty may follow.
• The evil eye reflects a covetous impulse to acquire more than needed, often driven by visual appeal or status.

Dangers of the Lust of the Eyes
• Encourages acquiring possessions for prestige or aesthetic pleasure, not necessity (e.g., luxurious homes, cars with prestigious logos).
• Can lead to shallow relationships:
– Proverbs 14:20: The poor are despised, but the rich have many friends, suggesting friendships based on wealth are superficial.
– Proverbs 19:4: Wealth makes many friends, but the poor are separated from theirs.
• Money as a false security:
– Proverbs 10:15 and 18:11: The rich man’s wealth is his "strong city," but this is only "in his own esteem," as wealth is unreliable (moth, rust, thieves; Matthew 6:19).
– Proverbs 23:4–5: Riches are fleeting, making themselves wings and flying away.
• Personal anecdote: Receiving a large insurance settlement created a false sense of security, reducing reliance on God until the money was given away.

Values Greater Than Wealth
• Proverbs emphasizes virtues that surpass the value of money:
– Proverbs 15:16–17: Better a little with the fear of the Lord or love than great treasure with trouble or hatred.
– Proverbs 16:8: Better a little with righteousness than vast revenues without justice.
– Proverbs 17:1: Better a dry morsel with quietness than a house full of feasting with strife.
– Proverbs 19:22: Kindness is more desirable than wealth; a poor man is better than a liar.
– Proverbs 28:6: Better a poor man with integrity than a rich man with perverse ways.
• A clear conscience, love, peace, and the fear of the Lord are more valuable than wealth gained through injustice or at the cost of relationships.

Wisdom and God’s Word
• True understanding comes from meditating on God’s Word, not from worldly success:
– Proverbs 28:11: A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with understanding surpasses him.
– Psalm 119:97–100: Meditation on God’s law grants greater wisdom than enemies, teachers, or the ancients.
• A poor person who fears God and meditates on His Word may have greater wisdom than a rich person with business acumen.

Conclusion
• The lust of the eyes is a trap that drives greed and superficial desires, leading to false security and shallow relationships.
• Money is not inherently evil but is unpredictable and should not be the primary pursuit.
• Christians are stewards of God’s resources, as all possessions and time belong to Him (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).
• Pursuing virtues like love, integrity, and the fear of the Lord, along with meditating on God’s Word, brings greater fulfillment than wealth.
• Future lectures will explore how Proverbs addresses obtaining and using money righteously.

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