Hoarding: Fear, Envy or Greed?

Episode 441

The human instinct is to hoard things in times of economic stress. Let’s look at what the Bible has to say about that.

Hoarding is the over-the-top collection of stuff you can’t rationally use in a reasonable time. Today, we’ll talk about the root causes of this temptation and how to avoid it.

Triggers of Hoarding

People hoard at different levels, sometimes even to the point of mental illness, though that's not our focus here. Instead, we’ll discuss the kind of hoarding that many of us are tempted to do, often in response to circumstances.

Various factors can trigger hoarding:

Fear of Not Having Enough: Remember the panic buying of toilet paper and hand sanitizer during the pandemic? Fear of scarcity can lead to hoarding.
Envy: Seeing others with something desirable can tempt us to stock up on the latest hot product just because everyone else is.
Selfish Desire for More: Sometimes, people use “frugality” as an excuse to buy excessive amounts of something on sale.

Addressing the Heart Attitudes

If your hoarding is driven by fear, envy, or greed, turning to God’s Word can provide a way out.

Fear shows a lack of trust in God’s provision. Philippians 4:19 reassures us, “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Trusting in God’s provision helps alleviate fear.

Envy focuses on our own desires and disrupts our peace. Proverbs 14:30 says, “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” The antidote to envy is contentment, as highlighted in 1 Timothy 6:6, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Greed turns possessions into idols. Jesus warns in Luke 12:15, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Cultivating contentment with what we have helps us avoid the snare of greed.

The Problem with Hoarding

Hoarding not only reflects negative heart attitudes but also cancels out generosity. Stockpiling for ourselves often means neglecting those in need.

While preparing for the future is prudent, it should not be done out of fear or greed. Proverbs 6:6-8 encourages wise preparation: “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.” This biblical principle endorses preparation without promoting a frantic or selfish mindset.

Principles for Godly Planning

Godly planning involves stewardship and generosity. Here are some principles to guide you:

Trust God: He holds the future and cares for His children.
Prepare Wisely: Be prudent without being driven by fear or greed.
Practice Generosity: Plan to be generous with your resources.

Applying These Principles in Different Life Stages

No matter your stage in life, the principles of stewardship and generosity apply.

For Teenagers: God may guide you toward college and a career where you can influence others for His Kingdom. Trust Him with your resources and follow His call.
For Parents: Teach your children to treat their possessions lightly and model godly financial principles. Show them the importance of generosity and stewardship.
For Workers: Work wholeheartedly as though for the Lord, trusting Him to provide for you and your family.
For Retirees: Consider how God wants to use you and your resources to advance His Kingdom. Retirement is an opportunity to serve and bless others.

A spirit of hoarding leads to spiritual harm, while a spirit of stewardship and