What scriptures warn against wealth reliance?
Which other scriptures warn against reliance on wealth instead of God?

Anchor Verse: Psalm 52:7—A Firm Warning

“Here now is the man who did not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and strengthened himself by destruction.”


Wisdom Literature: Clear Counsel Against Trusting Riches

Proverbs 11:28 — “He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.”

Proverbs 23:4-5 — “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. When you gaze upon riches, they are gone, for they surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”

Ecclesiastes 5:10 — “He who loves money is never satisfied with money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is futile.”


Prophets: Wealth Cannot Shield from Judgment

Jeremiah 9:23-24 — “Let not the wealthy man boast in his riches… but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me.”

Ezekiel 7:19 — “They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be treated as something unclean… their wealth will not deliver them.”

Zephaniah 1:18 — “Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORD’s wrath.”


Words of Jesus: Treasure That Lasts

Matthew 6:19-21, 24 — “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also… You cannot serve both God and money.”

Luke 12:15-21 — “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed… ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you.’ ” (parable of the rich fool)

Matthew 19:21-24 — “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”


Apostolic Teaching: The Early Church Confronts Covetousness

Acts 5:1-11 — Ananias and Sapphira learn that hidden greed cannot be concealed from God.

1 Timothy 6:9-10 — “Those who want to be rich fall into temptation… For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”

1 Timothy 6:17-19 — “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be arrogant, nor to put their hope in wealth, which is uncertain, but to put their hope in God.”

James 5:1-3 — “Come now, you rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you… Your gold and silver are corroded.”


Tying the Threads Together

• Scripture consistently treats misplaced confidence in wealth as spiritual folly and moral danger.

• Earthly riches fade, fail, or even turn against their owners, while trust in the LORD brings stability, righteousness, and eternal reward.

• Both Old and New Testaments affirm the same unchanging truth: God alone is a sure refuge.


Practical Response for Today

• Assess where your security really lies—bank accounts or the Lord’s promises.

• Practice generosity; giving breaks the grip of greed.

• Store up “treasure in heaven” by investing time, talents, and resources in Kingdom purposes.

• Remember daily that true riches are found in knowing, loving, and obeying God.

How can we avoid becoming like the man in Psalm 52:7?
Top of Page
Top of Page