Rich are those individuals who possess earthly wealth in abundance. The Bible addresses the theme of richness or wealth extensively, revealing various critical perspectives. Wealth, as highlighted by different Bible verses, is neither inherently good nor evil. Instead, it’s the love for wealth, incongruent priorities regarding riches, and the misuse of wealth that often arise as problematic.
What the Bible Reveals About The Rich
The subject of wealth is explored in the Bible in diverse contexts. Wealth can be seen as a blessing from God, bestowing upon the responsible the means to do good. Yet, the Bible also cautions against letting abundance of possessions steer one’s actions and thoughts. Wealth doesn’t assure genuine happiness or security. The rich are often cautioned about the potential pitfalls of their wealth, such as becoming slaves to their riches, showing arrogance, or ignoring the needy.
Where the Bible Stresses on Use of Wealth
The Bible provides guidelines on the fundamental usage of wealth. It asserts that the rich should use their wealth with wisdom, generosity, and compassion. Possessing abundance of wealth gives the rich a remarkable opportunity to do good deeds, serve their community, help the poor and make positive impacts on others’ lives. The Bible strongly encourages the rich to share their riches and influence for the betterment of society, rather than for selfish motives. They should not use wealth as a power tool to oppress or exploit others.
Who Are the Rich in The Perspective of Heaven
In the spiritual context, the Bible introduces a different concept of richness, that’s not related to the material wealth. A rich person, from the perspective of Heaven, is someone filled with spiritual blessings and inner joy, regardless of their earthly possessions. This wealth comes from a close relationship with God, characterized by faith, love, wisdom, righteousness, and peace. The Bible urges everyone, rich and poor, to seek this spiritual richness that leads to an eternal life.
Why the Bible Cautions Against Love of Riches
While wealth in itself isn’t evil, the Bible warns about pitfalls and temptations that come with money. It caution people, particularly the rich, against falling into the trap of materialism and greed. Love of money can lead to various sinful behaviors, including dishonesty, envy, strife and alienation from God. The Bible urges the rich to avoid such lust and not allow their wealth to become their idol.
When Riches Are Seen As a Blessing and a Test
According to the Bible, wealth can be a blessing from God, yet it also can be a test. If used wisely, wealth can be a tool for good, creating opportunities for generosity and kindness. On the other hand, riches can become a trial that exposes one’s character and moral integrity. The Bible advises the rich to remain humble and reliant on God, not their riches, even in times of prosperity.
Below is our full list of bible verses on rich (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Rich
1 Timothy 6:6-9
“6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”
Related Themes: Lust Money Finances Contentment
Matthew 6:19-21
“19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Related Themes: Money Homelessness Finances Materialism Coveting
Hebrews 13:5
“5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Related Themes: Money Loneliness Finances Complaining Greed
Proverbs 10:22
“22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Prosperity Business Abundance
Matthew 6:31-33
“31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Mark 10:24-25
“24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
1 Timothy 6:17
“17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;”
Related Themes: Money Pride Money Homelessness Hope
Luke 6:20-21
“20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Poverty Serving The Poor Hate
Matthew 6:24
“24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Proverbs 22:7
“7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
Proverbs 13:22
“22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Children Inheritance Grandparents
Luke 12:33-34
“33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Money Homelessness Money Heart
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.”
Genesis 13:2
“2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.”
Leviticus 19:15
“15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.”
Related Themes: Justice Social Justice Judging Others Partiality Equality
Ecclesiastes 5:19
“19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.”
Proverbs 21:20
“20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Business Wisdom Stewardship
James 5:1-2
“1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.”
Psalm 1:1-4
“1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.”
Related Themes: Reaping Frustration Reaping What You Sow Bullying Gossip
Proverbs 28:22
“22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.”
James 1:11
“11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.”
Related Themes: Earth
1 Timothy 6:17-19
“17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
Related Themes: Money Pride Money Homelessness Hope
2 Corinthians 8:9
“9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Money Poverty Prosperity Benevolence
Luke 6:24
“24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.”
Matthew 5:42
“42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.”
Related Themes: Money Homelessness Finances Benevolence Serving The Poor
Matthew 13:22
“22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”
Luke 14:28
“28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”
Related Themes: Money Finances Frustration
Genesis 26:12-13
“12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.13 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:”
Related Themes: Reaping Reaping What You Sow
Luke 16:15
“15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”
Related Themes: Abomination Business Hypocrisy Competition Heart
Romans 14:14
“14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”
