What does the Bible say about earthly possessions?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that earthly possessions are temporary gifts to be received with gratitude, held loosely, and used in faithful service to God and neighbor rather than treasured as our security or master. Jesus warns in Matthew 6:19-21 and 6:24 that wealth cannot satisfy the heart or share lordship with God, while Luke 12:15 cautions that life does not consist in abundance. Believers are called to seek first God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:33), cultivate contentment (Hebrews 13:5), and set their minds on things above (Colossians 3:1-4). Riches easily fuel discontent, as Ecclesiastes 5:10 observes, but Christ calls His people to generous obedience and treasure in heaven.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Matthew 6:19-21
[19] "Don't lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; [20] but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don't break through and steal; [21] for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
- Hebrews 13:5
Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, "I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you."
- Matthew 6:24
"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can't serve both God and Mammon.
- Luke 12:15
He said to them, "Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man's life doesn't consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses."
- Matthew 6:33
But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.
- Ecclesiastes 5:10
He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase: this also is vanity.
- Colossians 3:1-4
[1] If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. [2] Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. [3] For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.
- 1 John 2:15-17
[15] Don't love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father's love isn't in him. [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn't the Father's, but is the world's. [17] The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God's will remains forever.
- Matthew 19:21
Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about earthly possessions and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about earthly possessions