In our opinion, materialistic greed is the greatest enemy of spirituality in the American church. The Bible teaches strongly against greed. Paul says, “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.” (Ephesians 5:3) The word for greed is pleonexia, which means a continual thirst for more. Here we see greed in the same list with sexual immorality, which should give us an idea of the seriousness God attaches to this danger. Jesus warned against greed as well when he said, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15) He also taught that “You cannot serve both God and Money” (Mat. 6:24) Paul goes so far as to say, “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5) Greed is really idolatry, according to Paul because money becomes the thing around which our lives revolve. People caught up in materialistic avarice never seem to have time for the things of God. They are so preoccupied by their careers and enjoying their money and possessions they never can develop quality ministries. With their frequent absenteeism and divided loyalties, they are unable to build quality relationships or engender true love of God in others. One of the saddest side-effects of greed is the way it chills our love for God and for others. Just as Jesus warned, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21).