Riches are a prevalent subject within the teachings of the Bible, with numerous verses providing guidance and caution around the acquisition, use, and focus on material wealth. This topic covers a breadth of perspectives, ranging from the dangers of material obsession, the true source of wealth, the importance of generosity, and the purpose of riches in a biblical context.
What perspective does the Bible provide on the pursuit of riches?
According to the Bible, the pursuit of wealth can easily devolve into greed and avarice, effectively diverting a person’s focus from spiritual growth and faith. The Bible suggests that an overemphasis on earthly riches can lead to spiritual impoverishment, warning against the seductive and temporary nature of material wealth. While the Bible doesn’t condemn the possession of material wealth, it cautions that the unchecked pursuit of riches can lead to moral compromises and a distorted sense of priorities.
Why do riches hold such significance in biblical teachings?
Riches hold considerable significance in biblical teachings due to their omnipresence in human lives. Wealth can be a resource used for good or a potential pitfall leading to spiritual downfall, depending on how it’s acquired and utilized. The Bible uses riches as a metaphor to discuss the spiritual value of faith, wisdom, and divine favor, delineating a clear distinction between material and spiritual wealth. While material wealth may provide temporary comfort, the Bible advocates for spiritual wealth that builds character, fosters generosity, and draws one closer to divine understanding.
Who are the rich according to the Bible?
In the eyes of the Bible, the truly rich are not necessarily the ones with extensive material wealth. Instead, richness is associated with those who are spiritually abundant, characterized by strong faith, wisdom, generosity, and alignment with divine teachings. These individuals understand the transient nature of earthly wealth and prioritize nurturing their spiritual richness above amassing material possessions. The Bible encourages this view of riches, emphasizing that earthly wealth is fleeting, while spiritual wealth is eternal.
When does the Bible suggest the use of riches?
The Bible suggests using riches not just for personal gain and comfort, but more importantly, for the welfare of others — particularly the less fortunate. The Bible instructs that those with material wealth should utilize it generously and selflessly, helping to alleviate the suffering of others. By doing so, the Bible suggests individuals can cultivate spiritual richness, fulfilling their divine purpose of serving others. Wealth thus, is more than a means for individual comfort; it’s a tool for service, charity, and demonstrating God’s love.
Where does true wealth come from according to the Bible?
The Bible asserts that true wealth does not derive from one’s earthly possessions, but from their spiritual values and relationship with God. This view asserts that all earthly riches are bestowed by the divine, and as such, remembering the source of one’s wealth helps maintain a humble and grateful attitude. Keeping this in mind allows for the correct understanding and application of wealth, ensuring it doesn’t lead to pride or greed. The Bible encourages seeking first spiritual wealth and trusting that material needs will be provided according to God’s divine plan.
Below is our full list of bible verses on riches (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Riches
Luke 12:15
“15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Greed Lust Materialism
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
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
Philippians 4:19
“19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Homelessness Healing Life
1 Timothy 6:10
“10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
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.”
1 John 3:17
“17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”
Related Themes: Homelessness Selfishness Money Serving The Poor
Mark 4:19
“19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”
Luke 16:13
“13 No servant 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.”
Related Themes: Money Consistency Gambling Finances Obtaining Wealth
Proverbs 11:4
“4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Obtaining Wealth Materialism
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
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
Proverbs 11:28
“28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Greed Materialism Gold
James 5:1-5
“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.3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.”
Proverbs 16:8
“8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.”
Luke 18:22-26
“22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?”
Related Themes: Homelessness
Proverbs 27:24
“24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?”
Proverbs 15:6
“6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.”
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
Jeremiah 9:23
“23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:”
Psalm 62:10
“10 Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.”
Related Themes: Money Stealing Finances Greed Trespassing
Proverbs 22:4
“4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.”
Related Themes: Humility Pride Money Abundance Obtaining Wealth
Proverbs 13:11
“11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.”
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 22:7
“7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
Matthew 6:33
“33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Deuteronomy 8:18
“18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”
Related Themes: Business Money Finances Sovereignty Prosperity
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
Proverbs 22:1
“1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”
Related Themes: Reputation Money Business Finances Reputation
