A selection of verses showing that riches can be a problem.
Riches can't buy life after this one ends:
6 Those who trust in their wealth,
and boast in the multitude of their riches—
7 none of them can by any means redeem his brother,
nor give God a ransom for him.
8 For the redemption of their life is costly,
no payment is ever enough,
9 that he should live on forever,
that he should not see corruption.
10 For he sees that wise men die;
likewise the fool and the senseless perish,
and leave their wealth to others.
There are more important things in life than trying to be rich:
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches,
and loving favour is better than silver and gold.
Being rich encourages pride:
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes;
but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
Being too rich can be a problem:
8 Remove far from me falsehood and lies.
Give me neither poverty nor riches.
Feed me with the food that is needful for me,
9 lest I be full, deny you, and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’
or lest I be poor, and steal,
and so dishonour the name of my God.
Jesus spells out the danger of riches very clearly:
23 Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!
The apostle Paul warns Timothy of the problems riches bring:
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 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, 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.
These chapters have links to this theme:
Category