What does the Bible say about material wealth?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that material wealth is a temporary gift to be used faithfully, not a treasure to trust, serve, or pursue above God. Jesus warns in Matthew 6:19-21 to store up treasure in heaven, because the heart follows what it values. Matthew 6:24 and Luke 12:15 expose the danger of serving money or measuring life by possessions. Hebrews 13:5 calls believers to contentment in God’s unfailing presence, while 1 Timothy 6:7-10 warns that the love of money leads into many sorrows. Proverbs 11:28 contrasts trusting riches with flourishing through righteousness. Therefore, Christians should seek first God’s kingdom, as Matthew 6:33 teaches, receiving earthly goods with gratitude and holding them loosely.
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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."
- 1 Timothy 6:7-10
[7] For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can't carry anything out. [8] But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. [9] But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
- Proverbs 11:28
He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
- Matthew 6:33
But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.
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