Batsa: GREEDY For Gain

GAIN/PROFIT/GREED: batsa, verb (Strong’s 1214); betsa, masculine noun (Strong’s 1215) 

Root: בָּצַע

Sounds like: bah’tsa/beh’tsa

Greed: More, More, More

Greed is the overwhelming desire to obtain MORE… more money, more possessions, more desirable life experiences, more food, more success. Many lament that the modern world seems very greed oriented, but greed is not a modern problem, it is a human problem that dates back to the earliest of civilizations. The Tanakh frequently spoke about the problem of greed:

Jeremiah 6:13-14 (repeated in Jeremiah 8:10b-11)

[YHWH:] “For from the least of them to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for gain [boh’tseya batsa בֹּוצֵ֣עַ בָּ֑צַע], and from the prophet to the priest everyone deals falsely. They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace.”

Greed is often profit obtained at the expense of others. The Bible condemned those who gained anything by taking advantage of others, especially those less fortunate:

Psalm 10:2-4

In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the needy; let them be caught in the plots which they have devised. For the wicked boasts of his soul’s desire, and the greedy person [u-voh’tseya וּבֹצֵ֥עַ] curses and shows disrespect to YHWH. The wicked, in his haughtiness, does not seek Him. There is no God in all his schemes.

Ultimately, those who are greedy are disrespectful to YHWH. When you hurt His children, you hurt Him. In their selfishness they do not see the suffering of others, and when disaster strikes the greedy put themselves first, above all others:

Habakkuk 2:9-11

“Woe to him who gains evil profit [bohtseya betsa ra בֹּצֵ֛עַ בֶּ֥צַע רָ֖ע] for his household, to put his nest on high, to be saved from the hand of catastrophe!

You have planned a shameful thing for your house by bringing many peoples to an end; so you are sinning against yourself. For the stone will cry out from the wall, and the rafter will answer it from the framework.”

Here’s what YHWH said about the greed of profiting by oppression:

Ezekiel 22:12-14, 27-28

[YHWH:] “Among you they have taken bribes to shed blood; you lend money and take interest, you have gained profit off [wa-t-vats’yi וַתְּבַצְּעִ֤י] your neighbours by oppression, and you have forgotten Me,” declares the Lord YHWH. “Behold, then, I strike with My hand your profit [bits’ek בִּצְעֵ֖ךְ] which you have made and the bloodshed which is among you. Can your heart endure, or can your hands be strong for the days that I will deal with you? I, YHWH, have spoken and will act”…

…Her [Israel’s] leaders within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to gain dishonest profit [b’tsoh’a batsa בְּצֹ֥עַ בָּֽצַע]. And her prophets have coated with whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘This is what the Lord YHWH says,’ when YHWH has not spoken.

YHWH promised to personally deal with the greedy who oppressed for profit. Although there would be judgement, ideally YHWH wanted to save us from the death-trap of greed.

Greed is a life destroyer. It seems that when we are constantly in the pursuit of MORE, our life becomes LESS. We can become blinded by money, drowning in our need for more possession, and disabled in our struggle for success. We become passionate about our things and not passionate about our lives:

Proverbs 1:17-19

Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net in the sight of any bird; but they lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush their own lives. Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain [boh’tseya batsa בֹּ֣צֵֽעַ בָּ֑צַע]; it takes away the life of its possessors.

What’s in it for Me?

It seems to be human nature to constantly be looking for profit. What will I gain if I do this? What’s in it for me? This question was brought up when Joseph’s brothers wondered if they should kill their brother or just sell him off to slavery:

Genesis 37:26-27

And Judah said to his brothers, “What profit [betsa בֶּ֗צַע] is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, and let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.

Why kill Joseph when they could sell him and make some money? Joseph was sacrificed for their measly profit, but YHWH would turn the fortunes of Joseph around. He went from slave to prime minister. By the end of the story his brothers were the poor and needy and Joseph was the generous giver who would lift them out of their despair. There was no financial gain for Joseph to help his brothers, he simply gave out of love, compassion, and a great amount of mercy.

But Joseph’s kindness was exceptional; most of God’s people were much more selfish, asking the question: If I serve YHWH, what’s in it for me?

Malachi 3:13-15

“Your words have been arrogant against Me,” says YHWH. “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’ You have said, ‘It is pointless to serve God; and what profit [betsa בֶּ֗צַע] is it for us that we have done what He required, and that we have walked in mourning before YHWH of armies? So now we call the arrogant blessed; not only are the doers of wickedness built up, but they also put God to the test and escape punishment.’”

It seemed that the wicked had it easy, so wouldn’t it be easier to join them rather than join YHWH? Humans have always been looking for better things, easier ways and more abundance, even if it means sacrificing others. Following God did not always mean life was easier or better. Often, in fact, life was harder, but the reward at the end would be so much greater:

Matthew 7:13-14

[Jesus:] “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

No Greed in Good Leadership

Proverbs 28:16

A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, but a person who hates unjust gain [vetsa בֶ֝֗צַע] will prolong his days.

The unnamed author of Psalm 119 prayed to YHWH that he would not be swept up in greed:

Psalm 119:36-37

Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to dishonest gain [batsa בָּֽצַע]. Turn my eyes away from looking at what is worthless, and revive me in Your ways.

When Moses was overwhelmed as the lone judge, it was decided he needed help governing the people. Here’s the selected qualifications his father-in-law, Jethro, felt would make a good judge:

Exodus 18:21a

[Jethro to Moses:]  “You shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain [vatsa בָ֑צַע].”

A good judge can, in no way, love dishonest gain. If they do, they will take bribes and show favouritism. When the prophet Samuel was getting older he appointed his sons to become judges, but they did not have the qualifications necessary to be good leaders:

1 Samuel 8:1-3

Now it came about, when Samuel was old, that he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in Beersheba. His sons, however, did not walk in his ways but turned aside after dishonest gain [ha-batsa הַבָּ֑צַע], and they took bribes and perverted justice.

Sometimes the greedy turned themselves around. When young Josiah became king of Judah, he rejected the greedy ways of his father, Amon, and his grandfather, Manasseh. Josiah turned to YHWH and his leadership was blessed. No longer were the poor oppressed for the kingdom’s gain. Josiah’s son and successor, however, was not so wise:

Jeremiah 22:16-17

[YHWH:] “Did your father not eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well for him. He pled the cause of the afflicted and the poor, then it was well. Is that not what it means to know Me?” declares YHWH. “But your eyes and your heart are intent only upon your own dishonest gain [bits’eka בִּצְעֶ֑ךָ], and on shedding innocent blood, and on practicing oppression and extortion.”

We can do our best to encourage people to hear YHWH’s message of love and compassion over greed and power, but the stubborn-hearted will not hear:

Ezekiel 33:30-31

“But as for you, son of man, your fellow citizens who talk with one another about you by the walls and in the doorways of the houses, speak one with another, each with his brother, saying, ‘Come now and hear what the message is that comes from YHWH.’ And they come to you as people come, and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them; for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart follows their unlawful gain [vits’am בִצְעָ֖ם].”

The wicked hold onto greed in order to hold onto power, but really they have no power at all. They are unsatisfied people. They do not understand and they cannot see their purpose as a human (to be God’s image bearers). Because of their choices, they will have no say (mute) in the kingdom of God:

Isaiah 56:10-12

His watchmen are blind, all of them know nothing. All of them are mute dogs unable to bark, dreamers lying down, who love to slumber; and the dogs are fierce beings, they are never satisfied. And they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each one to his unjust gain [l-vits’ow לְבִצְע֖וֹ], without exception.

“Come,” they say, “let’s get wine, and let’s drink heavily of intoxicating drink; and tomorrow will be like today, only more so.”

The temptation that comes with the power of leadership is high, and even in our lifetime we’ve seen many world leaders turn to greed and oppression to maintain their earthly power. But those who reject greed and oppression have a great reward beyond this lifetime:

Isaiah 33:15-16

One who walks righteously and speaks with integrity, one who rejects unjust gain [b-vetsa בְּבֶ֣צַע] and shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe; one who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking at evil; he will dwell on the heights, his refuge will be the impregnable rock; his bread will be given him, his water will be sure.

Fortunately, our God is a forgiving God so that even those who have been greedy can be saved. If they turn to YHWH, He will heal them:

Isaiah 57:16-19

[YHWH:] “For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would grow faint before Me, and the breath of those whom I have made. Because of the wrongful act of his unjust gain [bits’ow בִּצְע֛וֹ] I was angry and struck him; I hid My face and was angry, and he went on turning away, in the way of his heart.

I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners, creating the praise of the lips. Peace, peace to him who is far away and to him who is near,” says YHWH, “and I will heal him.”

Yeshua: On Greed and Profit

Yeshua (Jesus) had much to say about greed and profit:

Mark 8:34-36 (See also Matthew 16:26, Luke 9:25)

And He [Jesus] summoned the crowd together with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” 

Many people are desperately holding onto this world when, in the long-run, it has nothing for them. When eyes are blinded by greed, they can’t see the promised Kingdom of God. All they can see is what they do not yet possess on earth:

Luke 12:15-23, 30-32

[Jesus:] “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed [Greek: pleonexias]; for even when one is affluent his life does not consist of his possessions.”

And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began thinking to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will store all my grain and my goods there. And I will say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years to come; relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is demanded of you; and as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’ Such is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich in relation to God.”

And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, as to what you are to eat; nor for your body, as to what you are to wear. For life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing…

…For all these things are what the nations of the world eagerly seek; and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father has chosen to give you the kingdom.”

The “what’s in it for me” question has a very important answer: eternal LIFE for your soul. All the riches of earth cannot buy yourself a ticket into God’s Kingdom. In fact, all the riches of the world might stop you from entering into YHWH’s sacred space:

Mark 10:25-27 (See also Matt 19:24, Luke 18:25)

[Jesus:] “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were even more astonished, and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?”

Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”

What gain is there in my blood?

David once asked God an interesting question:

Psalm 30:8-9

[David:] To You, YHWH, I called, and to the Lord I pleaded for compassion: “What gain [betsa בֶּ֥צַע] is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness?”

What good would it do for YHWH if His followers, like David, went to the grave? 

David made a good point! Who would worship YHWH if all of His followers were dead? What David didn’t understand was that YHWH wholeheartedly agreed. There was nothing good about dying and destruction, but that wasn’t God’s plan for His people. 

However, there was actually something to gain in David’s blood. David was the ancestor of Yeshua (Jesus); they were blood relatives. And the truth is, we profit from the blood of Yeshua.

Yeshua would be arrested and killed for the sake of His people. During His last Passover supper He took His cup of wine and said to His disciples, “this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26-28).

Although they didn’t quite understand what He was saying, they would soon see Yeshua dragged away and condemned to death on a cross. There His blood poured out when they pierced His side (John 19:34) with a spear. 

Yeshua went to the grave, but He did not stay there. He conquered death so that we could be free from the bondage of our sins and able to enter God’s heavenly Kingdom when our time on earth is done.

God had a plan, from the beginning, to save His people and bring them home to Him. Those who rejected YHWH, but embraced death, would come to the end that they had so desperately held onto.

The kingdom of Babylon, which metaphorically stood in as the Great Opposer to YHWH, would have its end at the hands of God. In fact, all the greedy of the earth would be measured by their own actions:

Jeremiah 51:12-13

Lift up a signal flag against the walls of Babylon; post a strong guard, station sentries, set up an ambush! For YHWH has both planned and performed what He spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon. You who live by many waters, abundant in treasures, by the measure of your greed [bits’ek בִּצְעֵֽךְ], your end has come.

In this season of consumerism and greed, let us be the true image bearers of YHWH and remember those in need. Let us give to ourselves less, and give to others more. Let us put our efforts into God’s Kingdom and not into our own storehouses. As “they” say, you can’t take stuff with you when you go, but we can open the door to the Kingdom for others by our love and our generosity.

Next week: Parable