Today we will discuss the good and bad aspects of material wealth from the Bible. Wealth and abundance are God’s blessings in our lives when we use them responsibly. God has warned us that our true wealth is in heaven, not on this earth. God gives us what we need, but we must be careful that the wealth of this world never becomes our source of happiness.
We need to understand the futility of material resources and the need for spiritual life. If we destroy our souls while earning material wealth, our lives will be in vain. We must first seek God’s kingdom and keep his righteousness. We should spend more time reading the Bible, in prayer, and serving others.
We must always keep in mind that concerns about the earth’s materials should not destroy our spiritual life. The Bible says that many have lost their souls while chasing the treasures of the world. In this regard, Jesus asks a question: What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? So let us not lose our souls for the greed of the wealth of the world.
The Bible warns us that if we make friends with the world, we will be enemies to God. This means that if we become too attached to the resources of the world and the things of this world, we will turn away from God. On the other hand, when we come to God, we will turn away from the things and wealth of the world. As followers of Jesus, we should be enemies of the world. This means not being drawn to the things or wealth of the world, but looking to God for eternal life.
Let us see the Bible scriptures below that talk about ‘Bible Verses About Material Possessions’.
What Does the Bible Say About Wealth and Riches?
“The blessing of the Lord , it maketh rich, he addeth no sorrow with it”
— Proverbs 10:22
“He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity”
— Ecclesiastes 5:10
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth rust doth corrupt, where thieves break through steal”
— Matthew 6:19
“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”
— 1 Timothy 6:17
“Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom”
— Proverbs 23:4
“But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away”
— James 1:10
“The cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, it becometh unfruitful”
— Mark 4:19
“He said unto them, Take heed, beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth”
— Luke 12:15
How to Balance Material Possessions and Spiritual Life
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, his righteousness; all these things shall be added unto you”
— Matthew 6:33
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”
— Matthew 6:21
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth”
— Colossians 3:2
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content”
— Philippians 4:11
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”
— Hebrews 13:5
“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, love the other; or else he will hold to the one, despise the other. Ye cannot serve God mammon”
— Luke 16:13
“But godliness with contentment is great gain”
— 1 Timothy 6:6
Biblical Teachings on Generosity and Giving
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver”
— 2 Corinthians 9:7
“Give, it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again”
— Luke 6:38
“The liberal soul shall be made fat: he that watereth shall be watered also himself”
— Proverbs 11:25
“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive”
— Acts 20:35
“The King shall answer say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”
— Matthew 25:40
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord ; that which he hath given will he pay him again”
— Proverbs 19:17
“But whoso hath this world’s good, seeth his brother have need, shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”
— 1 John 3:17
“Thou shalt surely give him, thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, in all that thou puttest thine hand unto”
— Deuteronomy 15:10
“But to do good to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased”
— Hebrews 13:16
Warnings Against Greed and Materialism in Scripture
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, pierced themselves through with many sorrows”
— 1 Timothy 6:10
“He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, considereth not that poverty shall come upon him”
— Proverbs 28:22
“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
— Matthew 16:26
“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, covetousness, which is idolatry”
— Colossians 3:5
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, lose his own soul?”
— Mark 8:36
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ of God”
— Ephesians 5:5