In biblical terms, the concept of hoarding is often associated with the accumulation of wealth or resources beyond what is necessary, typically driven by greed or a lack of trust in God's provision. The Bible addresses the issue of hoarding in various contexts, emphasizing the spiritual dangers and moral implications of such behavior.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament provides several insights into the nature and consequences of hoarding. In Proverbs, wisdom literature warns against the futility of amassing wealth without purpose. Proverbs 11:24-25 states, "One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." This passage highlights the paradox that generosity leads to true prosperity, while hoarding leads to spiritual and material poverty.

The account of the Israelites collecting manna in the wilderness also serves as a cautionary tale against hoarding. In Exodus 16:19-20 , Moses instructs the people, "No one may keep any of it until morning." However, some disobeyed, and the manna they hoarded "bred worms and stank." This narrative illustrates the importance of trusting in God's daily provision rather than relying on one's own stockpiling efforts.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of hoarding in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 6:19-21 , He teaches, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Jesus emphasizes the transient nature of earthly wealth and the importance of prioritizing spiritual riches.

The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 further illustrates the folly of hoarding. The rich man plans to build larger barns to store his surplus grain, saying to himself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and be merry!" However, God calls him a fool, as his life is demanded of him that very night. This parable underscores the unpredictability of life and the ultimate futility of relying on material wealth for security.

Apostolic Writings

The apostolic writings continue to warn against the dangers of hoarding. In James 5:1-3 , the apostle James admonishes the wealthy, "Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days." James highlights the moral decay associated with hoarding and the impending judgment for those who place their trust in material wealth.

Theological Implications

The biblical perspective on hoarding is deeply rooted in the understanding of stewardship and trust in God. Believers are called to be stewards of the resources God has entrusted to them, using them for His glory and the benefit of others. Hoarding, in contrast, reflects a self-centered approach that prioritizes personal security over faith in God's provision and the well-being of the community.

Throughout Scripture, the call is clear: to live generously, trust in God's provision, and focus on storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. The biblical narrative consistently challenges believers to examine their relationship with material possessions and to align their lives with the values of the Kingdom of God.1. (v. t.) To collect and lay up; to amass; to store secretly; as, to hoard grain; to hoard wealth.

2. (n.) See Hoarding.

3. (n.) A store, stock, or quantity of anything accumulated or laid up; a hidden supply; a treasure; as, a hoard of provisions; a hoard of money.

4. (v. i.) To lay up a store or hoard, as of money.

4867. sunathroizo -- to gather together
... call together. From sun and athroizo (to hoard); to convene -- call (gather)
together. see GREEK sun. (ethroismenous) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4867.htm - 6k6845. tsaphan -- to hide, treasure up
... hoard, reserve, deny. A primitive root; to hide (by covering over); by implication,
to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically ...
/hebrew/6845.htm - 6k

6910. qebutsah -- a gathering
... Word Origin from qabats Definition a gathering NASB Word Usage gather (1). gather.
Feminine passive participle of qabats; a hoard -- X gather. see HEBREW qabats ...
/hebrew/6910.htm - 6k

686. atsar -- to lay up, store up
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to lay up, store up NASB Word Usage
appointed (1), hoard (1), laid up in store (2), stored (1). ...
/hebrew/686.htm - 6k

2630. chasan -- to be treasured up or hoarded
... lay up. A primitive root; properly, to (be) compact; by implication, to hoard --
lay up. 2629, 2630. chasan. 2631 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2630.htm - 6k

Manna Hoarded. Ex 16:20
... Melted the rest away. In vain to hoard it up they tried,. Against tomorrow came; ...
But must be still renewed; Faith should not want a hoard or heap,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 16 manna hoarded ex.htm

The Rich Fool.
... He proposed to pull down his barns, and build a larger storehouse on the site, in
order that he might be able to hoard his increasing treasures. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xix the rich fool.htm

Letter H
... Received 1819, Located 1834 * Hix, W. "Received 1834 * Hoag, Nelson "Received 1836 *
Hoag, Wilbur "Received 1826, Died 1839 * Hoard, Jesse "Received ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter h.htm

Watching the Horizon
... The body is awake in daytime. They walk and talk and eat, buy and sell, count money
and hoard it. But their eyes are never lifted to the outer horizon. ...
/.../quiet talks on the crowned christ of revelation/viii watching the horizon.htm

Hymn Before Sleep
... devour,. He warned the king, distracted By riddles of the night, To hoard
the plenteous harvests Against the years of blight. Soon ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/vi hymn before sleep.htm

The Conflict Between Capital and Labor.
... How remarkable is this prophecy in view of our twentieth century trusts and syndicates
which corner the markets, hoard up raw materials, and rob the masses by ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/7 the conflict between capital.htm

The Life of Faith the Resolve.
... Lord, I offer at Thy feet. All I have most dear and sweet,. Lo! I keep no secret
hoard: Try my heart, and lurks there aught. False within its inmost thought,. ...
/.../lyra germanica second series the christian life/the life of faith the 3.htm

The Life of Faith under Clouds.
... He hath all things who hath Thee. Earthly treasure, mirth and pleasure,. Glorious
name, or richest hoard,. Are but weary, void and dreary,. ...
/.../lyra germanica second series the christian life/the life of faith under.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... The precept is not intended to discourage the possession of property in moderation,
but it forbids us to hoard for selfish purposes, or to look upon our ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 6.htm

On the Collections, V.
... advantage to human society, when it is in the hands of the benevolent and open-handed,
and when the luxurious man does not squander nor the miser hoard it; for ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon x on the collections.htm

Hoard (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To collect and lay up; to amass; to store secretly;
as, to hoard grain; to hoard wealth. 2. (n.) See Hoarding. ...
/h/hoard.htm - 7k

Treasure (66 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To collect and deposit, as money or other valuable things, for future use;
to lay up; to hoard; usually with up; as, to treasure up gold. Int. ...
/t/treasure.htm - 36k

Hoar (5 Occurrences)

/h/hoar.htm - 8k

Loot (15 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Amos 3:10 "Indeed they don't know to do right," says Yahweh,
"Who hoard plunder and loot in their palaces." (WEB NIV). ...
/l/loot.htm - 11k

Treasurer (6 Occurrences)
... 4. Strength: Perhaps the strength of riches and so treasure, the Hebrew word being
chocen, from a root meaning to hoard or lay up: "In the house of the ...
/t/treasurer.htm - 17k

Treasury (25 Occurrences)
... 4. Strength: Perhaps the strength of riches and so treasure, the Hebrew word being
chocen, from a root meaning to hoard or lay up: "In the house of the ...
/t/treasury.htm - 27k

Devastation (17 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Amos 3:10 "Indeed they don't know to do right," says Yahweh,
"Who hoard plunder and loot in their palaces." (See NAS). ...
/d/devastation.htm - 11k

Citadels (15 Occurrences)
... NAS). Amos 3:10 "Indeed they don't know to do right," says Yahweh, "Who
hoard plunder and loot in their palaces." (See NAS). Amos ...
/c/citadels.htm - 9k

Cupboard
... 2. (n.) A small closet in a room, with shelves to receive cups, dishes, food, etc.;
hence, any small closet. 3. (vt) To collect, as into a cupboard; to hoard. ...
/c/cupboard.htm - 6k

Chest (15 Occurrences)
... 6. (vi) To deposit in a chest; to hoard. 7. (vi) To place in a coffin. 8. (n.) Strife;
contention; controversy. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CHEST. ...
/c/chest.htm - 15k

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Hoard: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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