Biblical Teachings on Wealth and Material Possessions
Biblical teachings on wealth and material possessions present a complex perspective, acknowledging their utility and divine origin while cautioning against their corrupting influence and ultimate transience. God is depicted as the ultimate owner of all riches, including gold and silver [2, 4], and is the one who grants the ability to obtain wealth [1]. The blessing of the Lord is also said to bring riches [1].
However, the Bible frequently highlights the temporary and uncertain nature of material wealth [1]. Proverbs 27:24 states that riches do not last forever, and 1 Timothy 6:17 describes them as uncertain [1]. They are also portrayed as unsatisfying (Ecclesiastes 5:10), corruptible (James 5:2), fleeting (Proverbs 23:5), and deceitful (Matthew 13:22) [1]. Jesus himself spoke of the "lure of wealth" and its ability to deceive, noting that the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of riches can choke the word, making it unfruitful (Matthew 13:22) [8]. Material possessions are also vulnerable to theft and decay (Matthew 6:19) [1].
The acquisition of wealth is not inherently condemned. Commerce, involving the exchange of commodities for money, is described in various biblical texts, with merchants and traders engaged in buying and selling [3]. Gold, for instance, was a valuable commodity, found in places like Havilah and Ophir, and used in trade [2]. However, the manner of acquiring wealth is scrutinized. Theft is explicitly forbidden and considered an abomination, especially when directed at the poor [6]. Fraud, including dishonest practices like using heavier weights for buying and lighter ones for selling, is also condemned [5, 6]. Matthew Henry, commenting on Proverbs 13:11, states that "wealth gotten by vanity will be bestowed upon vanity," suggesting that ill-gotten gains will not endure and may lead to further sinful spending [9].
The Bible contrasts earthly riches with "true riches," which are spiritual in nature, such as those found in Christ (Ephesians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Colossians 2:3) [1]. The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 6:10, describes himself and his fellow laborers as "making many rich" spiritually, following the example of Christ who "by His poverty made many rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9) [11]. This perspective emphasizes that spiritual wealth is of greater value than material wealth.
Warnings are frequently issued against the dangers of wealth. Those who are rich are cautioned against being "high-minded" and are instructed on how to use their riches [12]. The book of James warns that material wealth, particularly if unjustly acquired, will testify against individuals in God's judgment [7]. The prophet Isaiah describes a time of such destitution that those with clothing or property would be sought out to become rulers, highlighting the transient nature of societal structures and wealth [10].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Riches — The true riches -- Eph 3:8; 1Co 1:30; Col 2:3; 1Pe 2:7. God gives -- 1Sa 2:7; Ec 5:19. To God belongs this world's riches -- Hag 2:8. God gives power to obtain -- De 8:18. The blessing of the Lord brings -- Pr 10:22. Give worldly power -- Pr 22:7. Described as Temporary. -- Pr 27:24. Uncertain. -- 1Ti 6:17. Unsatisfying. -- Ec 4:8; 5:10. Corruptible. -- Jas 5:2; 1Pe 1:18. Fleeting. -- Pr 23:5; Re 18:16,17. Deceitful. -- Mt 13:22. Liable to be stolen. -- Mt 6:19. Perishable. -- Jer 48:36. Thick clay. -- Hab 2:6. Often an obstruction to the reception of the go”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gold — Found in the earth -- Job 28:1,6. Abounded in Havilah. -- Ge 2:11. Ophir. -- 1Ki 9:28; Ps 45:9. Sheba. -- Ps 72:15; Isa 60:6. Parvaim. -- 2Ch 3:6. Belongs to God -- Joe 3:5; Hag 2:8. Described as Yellow. -- Ps 68:13. Malleable. -- Ex 39:3; 1Ki 10:16,17. Fusible. -- Ex 32:3,4; Pr 17:3. Precious. -- Ezr 8:27; Isa 13:12. Valuable. -- Job 28:15,16. Most valuable when pure and fine -- Job 28:19; Ps 19:10; 21:3; Pr 3:14. Refined and tried by fire -- Zec 13:9; 1Pe 1:7. Working in, a trade -- Ne 3:8; Isa 40:19. An article of commerce -- Eze 27:22. The patriarchs were ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Commerce — The barter of one commodity for another -- 1Ki 5:8,11. The exchange of commodities for money -- 1Ki 10:28,29. Called Trade. -- Ge 34:10; Mt 25:16. Traffic. -- Ge 42:34; Eze 17:4. Buying and selling. -- Jas 4:13. Articles of, called Merchandise. -- Eze 26:12; Mt 22:5. Wares. -- Jer 10:17; Eze 27:16; Jon 1:5. Persons engaged in, called Merchants. -- Ge 37:28; Pr 31:24. Chapmen. -- 2Ch 9:14. Traffickers. -- Isa 23:8. Sellers and buyers. -- Isa 24:2. Carried on in fairs, &c -- Eze 27:12,19; Mt 11:16. Inland, by caravans -- Job 6:19; Isa 21:13. Maritime, by shi”
- Nahum “Nahum 2:9 (NASB) — Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold! For there is no limit to the treasure-- Wealth from every kind of desirable object.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Balances — Reference to balances is found in (Leviticus 19:36) They were in common use, gold and silver being paid out and received by weight. Reference is also made in (Micah 6:11; Hosea 12:7) to the dishonest practice of buying by heavier and selling by lighter weights.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Theft — Is an abomination -- Jer 7:9,10. Forbidden -- Ex 20:15; Mr 10:19; Ro 13:9. From the poor specially forbidden -- Pr 22:2. Includes fraud in general -- Le 19:13. Includes fraud concerning wages -- Le 19:13; Mal 3:5; Jas 5:4. Proceeds from the heart -- Mt 15:19. Defiles a man -- Mt 15:20. The wicked Addicted to. -- Ps 119:61. Store up the fruits of. -- Am 3:10. Lie in wait to commit. -- Ho 6:9. Commit, under shelter of the night. -- Job 24:14; Ob 1:5. Consent to show who commit. -- Ps 50:18. Associate with those who commit. -- Isa 1:23. May, for a season, prospe”
- James (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on James 5:3: 5:3 Material wealth, represented by gold and silver, is worthless in the face of God’s judgment. In fact, it will testify against them because it was unjustly gotten (5:4) and wickedly used (5:5-6).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 13:22: 13:22 Jesus spoke of competing demands in life, (see also 8:18-22). The worries of this life can become so great that they divert one from the path of faithful obedience (see 6:19-34). The lure of wealth, particularly in its ability to deceive, appears often in Matthew (e.g., 4:8-10; 6:24; 13:44-45). God does not desire that his people have wealth as much as that they have faith, obey him, and willingly help those in need (e.g., 19:21; 25:31-46).”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 13:11: This shows that riches wear as they are won and woven. 1. That which is won ill will never wear well, for a curse attends it which will waste it, and the same corrupt dispositions which incline men to the sinful ways of getting well incline them to the like sinful ways of spending: Wealth gotten by vanity will be bestowed upon vanity, and then it will be diminished. That which is got by such employments as are not lawful, or not becoming Christians, such as only serve to feed pride and luxury, that which is got by gaming or by the stage, may as truly be said to”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 3:6: Such will be the want of men of wealth and ability, that they will "take hold of" (Isa 4:1) the first man whom they meet, having any property, to make him "ruler." brother--one having no better hereditary claim to be ruler than the "man" supplicating him. Thou hast clothing--which none of us has. Changes of raiment are wealth in the East (Kg2 5:5). ruin--Let our ruined affairs be committed to thee to retrieve.”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 6:10: The "as" no longer is used to express the opinion of his adversaries, but the real state of him and his fellow laborers. making many rich--Spiritually (Co1 1:5), after the example of our Lord, who "by His poverty made many rich" (Co2 8:9). having nothing--Whatever of earthly goods we have, and these are few, we have as though we had not; as tenants removable at will, not owners (Co1 7:30). possessing all things--The Greek implies firm possession, holding fast in possession (compare Co1 3:21-22). The things both of the present and of the fu”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 6:17: Resuming the subject from above, Ti1 6:5, Ti1 6:10. The immortality of God, alone rich in glory, and of His people through Him, is opposed to the lust of money (compare Ti1 6:14-16). From speaking of the desire to be rich, he here passes to those who are rich: (1) What ought to be their disposition; (2) What use they ought to make of their riches, and, (3) The consequences of their so using them. rich in this world--contrasted with the riches of the future kingdom to be the portion of believers at Christ's "appearing," Ti1 6:14. high-minded--oft”