Property is a recurring theme in the Bible, where it comes in various forms such as land, goods, wealth and even livestock. This omnipresent topic is addressed directly and indirectly within the Biblical text, informing readers about the accompanying responsibilities, morality issues, and spiritual implications of both acquisition and possession.
What Does the Bible Say About Property Ownership?
There emerges a clear understanding from the Bible that property ownership is a privilege granted by God. The Bible acknowledges owning property as a part of life, encouraging its proper use for personal benefit and the welfare of others. In many instances, the Bible advises against excessive accumulation and advocates for generosity and sharing what one possesses with others, especially those in need, emphasizing the intrinsic value of generosity.
How Is Property Viewed in Biblical Terms?
The Bible often depicts the possession of property as a divine blessing, associating it with reward, prosperity, and God’s favor. High importance is given to the rightful ownership and respect for others’ properties. However, it encourages followers not to hold onto their belongings too tightly, as earthly possessions are considered temporary compared to eternal life. Instead, the Bible urges its followers to use their wealth wisely and morally, fostering a compassionate and generous heart.
Why Does the Bible Warn Against Misusing Property?
Misuse of property, in the form of the exploitation of people and resources, is strictly warned against in the Bible. There is consistent admonition against unfair dealings, selfishness, greed, and illicit acquisition of other people’s property. The Bible identifies such behavior as spiritual shortcomings that draw one away from God, fostering an unhealthy attachment to material possessions. Consequently, it urges followers to avoid falling into these detrimental habits and inspires them towards a path of righteousness, fairness, and humility in all matters of property and wealth.
Who Is Obligated to Respect and Care for Property?
The Bible dictates that everyone, irrespective of their role in society or their wealth, has a responsibility towards the protection and fair utilization of property. It discusses regulations and laws that govern how property should be handled to ensure justice and fairness. The Bible also advocates stewardship, reminding followers that all they possess ultimately belongs to God. Hence, it emphasizes the need to respect, protect, and care for whatever property they are entrusted with, and to do so in a manner that glorifies God and is fair to fellow human beings.
When Does the Bible Advocate Generosity in Property?
The Bible frequently advocates for generosity, urging followers to freely share their wealth and property with others, especially those in need. It speaks about the blessings that come with generosity, suggesting that those who give wholeheartedly receive abundant blessings in return. The context of giving extends beyond material possessions; it includes time, love, kindness and spiritual support. Therefore, while the Bible recognizes the importance of property and wealth, it constantly underscores the virtue of generosity and the spiritual rewards that are inextricably linked with it.
Below is the full list of bible verses on property (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Property
Leviticus 25:23
“23 The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.”
Proverbs 19:14
“14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.”
Deuteronomy 19:14
“14 Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour’s landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.”
Exodus 22:2-3
“2 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Self-Defense Theft Self-Defense Killing
Psalm 24:1
“1 A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”
1 Timothy 5:8
“8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Respecting Your Parents Children Laziness
Exodus 20:17
“17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.”
Related Themes: Lust Coveting Envy And Jealousy Adultery Greed
Deuteronomy 27:17
“17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.”
Proverbs 23:10
“10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:”
Ephesians 4:28
“28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”
Leviticus 19:11
“11 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.”
Related Themes: Business Stealing Telling The Truth Lying Gossip
Numbers 33:53-54
“53 And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it.54 And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man’s inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit.”
Deuteronomy 5:21
“21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s.”
Proverbs 22:28
“28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.”
1 Corinthians 10:26
“26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.”
Related Themes: Earth
Job 24:2
“2 Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof.”
Jeremiah 32:7
“7 Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.”
Proverbs 22:22
“22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:”
Related Themes: Homelessness Serving The Poor
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Abomination
Acts 2:45
“45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”
Related Themes: Generosity
Leviticus 25:29-30
“29 And if a man sell a dwelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold; within a full year may he redeem it.30 And if it be not redeemed within the space of a full year, then the house that is in the walled city shall be established for ever to him that bought it throughout his generations: it shall not go out in the jubile.”
Zechariah 5:3-4
“3 Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.4 I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.”
Related Themes: Earth
Leviticus 25:31
“31 But the houses of the villages which have no wall round about them shall be counted as the fields of the country: they may be redeemed, and they shall go out in the jubile.”
Deuteronomy 22:1-3
“1 Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother.2 And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again.3 In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother’s, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself.”
Proverbs 10:4
“4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”
Leviticus 19:13
“13 Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.”
Related Themes: Business Money Stealing Trespassing Finances
Psalm 2:8
“8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.”
Psalm 115:16
“16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.”
Related Themes: Earth
