Guarding Against Greed – Biblical Greed, Church Discipline, and the Shepherd’s Call to Discernment

Men’s Bible Study: Guarding Against Greed – 1 Corinthians 5:11

Theme: Biblical Greed, Church Discipline, and the Shepherd’s Call to Discernment

Target: Men who want to lead as protectors (“Sheepdogs”) of their families, churches, and communities.
Time: 60–90 minutes (open with prayer, close with accountability and prayer)

1. Opening Hook (5–7 minutes)

Read this scenario out loud:
A pastor repeatedly preaches on “greed” and “lack of faith” whenever giving is down or they need to raise money. He pressures his congregation: “If you’re not tithing sacrificially, you’re robbing from God and living in greed.” Meanwhile, the church builds a bigger campus, adds staff, launches expensive programs, and the leadership enjoys luxury perks. The average family in the pews struggles with bills.

Question to open discussion:
Have you ever seen “greed” weaponized from the pulpit? How did it feel?

2. Core Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:11 (NIV)

“But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.”

Context: Paul is addressing unrepentant sin inside the church. Greed (pleonexia) is listed alongside serious sins that destroy fellowship. It is not a one-time slip; it is a persistent lifestyle of selfish craving that displaces God.

Key Cross-References (read aloud as a group):

• Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
• Ephesians 5:5 – No greedy person (idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
• 1 Timothy 6:10 – “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”
• Luke 12:15 – Jesus: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
• Proverbs 28:25 – “The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.”

3. What Biblical Greed Actually Is

Greed is an insatiable heart attitude that says:

• “I never have enough.”
• “My needs and wants come before others or God.”
• “I will exploit, manipulate, or withhold to get more.”

It is idolatry because it trusts money, status, or stuff more than God.
It is not the same as:

• Having wealth (Abraham, David, and many godly men were wealthy).
• Working hard or providing for your family.
• Saving or investing wisely.

Men’s Application: As husbands and fathers, greed shows up when we chase promotions at the expense of family time, refuse to be generous with our time, resources, or measure success by net worth instead of faithfulness.

4. The Sheepdog Warning: Spotting Greedy Religious Leaders

Jesus and the prophets repeatedly warned about false shepherds who exploit the flock for personal gain (Ezekiel 34, Jeremiah 23, Matthew 23, 1 Peter 5:2–3).

Red Flags of Greedy Leaders:

• Constant pressure on money with guilt/shame language (“You’re greedy if you don’t give more”).
• Lifestyle that far exceeds the average person in the congregation while preaching sacrifice.
• Obsession with bigger buildings, more staff, flashier programs, or personal social media platforms over discipleship and souls.
• Teaching that equates faithfulness almost exclusively with financial giving to their ministry.
• Little accountability or transparency on how money is spent.
• Using “sowing and reaping” or “faith seed” language to manipulate.

Sheepdog Principle:
Good shepherds feed and protect the sheep. Wolves (and greedy hirelings) fleece the sheep. As men, you are called to be Sheepdogs — alert, courageous, and willing to bark (speak truth) or bite (confront sin) when the flock is in danger (see Acts 20:28–31).

Paul’s command in 1 Corinthians 5 applies here: If a so-called leader is persistently greedy and unrepentant, the church should not treat him as a healthy brother. You do not sit under his teaching or fund his self-ambition.

Discussion Questions:

1. How is modern “prosperity” or “success-driven” preaching twisting the Bible’s teaching on money?
2. What does it look like for you as a man to “not even eat” (withdraw fellowship) from a greedy leader without becoming divisive yourself?
3. Have you ever confronted financial pressure in your church? What happened?

5. Personal Challenge for Men (the antidote)

• Contentment (Hebrews 13:5; Philippians 4:11–13)
• Generosity that is joyful, not pressured (2 Corinthians 9:7)
• Integrity in your own finances — pay your bills, provide for your house, give faithfully, but never let any man shame you into funding someone else’s empire.
• Courage to ask hard questions in your church: “Where exactly is this money going? Who approves the budget?”

Action Steps (write these down):

1. This week, read Ezekiel 34 and ask God to show you any “shepherd” tendencies (or hireling tendencies) in your own leadership at home or church.
2. Review your family budget. Is greed or fear driving any decisions?
3. If your church uses manipulative giving tactics, schedule a respectful meeting with leadership to ask for financial transparency.
4. Identify 1–2 men in your group to hold you accountable on contentment and generosity this month.

6. Closing Prayer & Accountability (10 minutes)

Pray through these points together:

• Thank God that our security is in Christ, not money.
• Ask for discernment to spot greed in our own hearts and in leaders.
• Pray for courage to be Sheepdogs who protect the flock without becoming wolves ourselves.
• Commit to generous, cheerful giving that honors God — not man.

Memory Verse:
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5)

Men, stay alert. The same greed that destroys individuals can destroy churches when leaders twist Scripture to feed their own appetites. Be generous with what God has given you — but never let anyone guilt you into funding idolatry. Lead well. Protect the flock. End with this charge from Paul: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them…” (1 Timothy 4:16).