Greedy for Gain

¹⁷ Surely, in vain the net is spread

In the sight of any bird;

¹⁸ But they lie in wait for their own blood,

They lurk secretly for their own lives.

¹⁹ So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;

It takes away the life of its owners (Proverbs 1:17-19 NKJV)

A net is used to capture prey. A person who is greedy for money is willing to steal or manipulate others by laying a net. That net is meant for the victim. Eventually, the net will not only capture the victim, but the predator.

In this section of Proverbs, we learn that a person who greedily lays a net to capture another person is actually preparing for their own failure or capture.

For example, Bernie Madoff was a financial investor who defrauded clients out of their money. He enticed victims to invest in his company with the promise of a high-yield return. Madoff did not use the funds as promised. Instead, he ran a Ponzi scheme to support his personal expenses. He was stealing the money, instead of investing it.

Madoff laid a net for unsuspecting victims. His greed eventually caught up to him where he was arrested and sentenced to 150-years in prison. He died in prison at the age of 82.

Madoff's greed for gain took away his own life.