Vanity: Treasures of Wickedness Are
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In the biblical context, the concept of vanity often refers to the futility and emptiness of human endeavors that are not aligned with God's will. The phrase "treasures of wickedness" highlights the transient and ultimately meaningless nature of wealth and success gained through unrighteous means. The Bible consistently warns against the pursuit of such ill-gotten gains, emphasizing that they are devoid of lasting value and lead to spiritual ruin.

Scriptural References

Proverbs 10:2 states, "Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death." This verse underscores the futility of acquiring wealth through sinful actions. While such treasures may offer temporary satisfaction or status, they ultimately fail to provide true profit or security. In contrast, righteousness—living in accordance with God's commandments—offers deliverance and eternal life.

Proverbs 11:4 further elaborates, "Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death." Here, the "day of wrath" refers to God's judgment, a time when material wealth will be of no benefit. The emphasis is on the enduring value of righteousness, which alone can save a person from divine judgment.

The Nature of Vanity

The term "vanity" in the Bible often translates from the Hebrew word "hebel," which conveys a sense of breath, vapor, or emptiness. This imagery is used to describe the fleeting nature of life and the futility of pursuits that are not grounded in God's eternal purposes. Ecclesiastes 1:2 famously declares, "Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity." This reflects the overarching theme that human endeavors, when detached from divine wisdom and righteousness, are ultimately meaningless.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The pursuit of "treasures of wickedness" is not merely a practical concern but a moral and spiritual one. It reflects a heart that prioritizes worldly gain over obedience to God. Jesus warns in Matthew 6:19-21, "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." This teaching highlights the importance of focusing on spiritual wealth, which is imperishable and aligned with God's kingdom.

Consequences of Wickedness

The Bible is clear about the consequences of pursuing wealth through wicked means. Proverbs 15:27 warns, "He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble to his household, but he who hates bribes will live." The pursuit of unjust gain not only affects the individual but also brings turmoil to their family and community. The moral decay that accompanies such pursuits leads to a breakdown of relationships and societal structures.

Contrast with Righteousness

In contrast to the vanity of wicked treasures, the Bible extols the virtues of righteousness and integrity. Psalm 37:16-17 states, "Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous." This passage emphasizes that even a modest life lived in righteousness is far superior to the abundant wealth of the wicked, which is ultimately unstable and unsustainable.

Conclusion

The biblical teaching on vanity and the "treasures of wickedness" serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of earthly wealth and the eternal value of living a life rooted in righteousness. The scriptures call believers to seek treasures that align with God's will, promising that such pursuits lead to true fulfillment and eternal reward.
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Proverbs 10:2
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivers from death.
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Library

A Comparison of Constantine's Piety with the Wickedness Of
... Comparison of Constantine's Piety with the Wickedness of. ... royal magnificence unlocked
all his treasures, and distributed ... on God itself proved the vanity of idols ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter i a comparison of constantines.htm

We must Reserve the Likeness of the virtues in Ourselves. ...
... fury nor rage; for in these exists the likeness of wickedness. ... Thus he who looks
not on vanity is not perturbed ... day, that he may be able to heap up treasures? ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xlix we must reserve.htm

If You Wish Me to Keep Silence, Cease from Accusing Me. Lay Down ...
... [3239] He that gaineth treasures with a lying tongue followeth vanity, and shall ...
consent thou not to him, for there are seven degrees of wickedness in his ...
/.../43 if you wish me.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 2.
... of iniquity, full of uncharitableness, full of all wickedness is this ... the wise man
saith, "The getting of treasures by a lying tongue, is a vanity tossed to ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part 2.htm

Mr. John Bunyan's Dying Sayings.
... the school of light; it discovers the world's vanity, baseness, and wickedness,
and lets ... The spirit of prayer is more precious than treasures of gold ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr john bunyans dying sayings.htm

The Effects of this Fourth State of Prayer. Earnest Exhortations ...
... world, and of the most clear perception of its vanity. ... O Lord, didst begin to lay
open Thy treasures for Thy ... she was, though much of that wickedness was plain ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xix the effects of.htm

"That which was from the Beginning, which we have Heard, which we ...
... except in the holy meditation of the vanity, vexation, and ... and impiety of the world
that lies in wickedness? ... It is a discovery where these treasures are lying ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon i that which was.htm

Of Sin by Imputation and Propagation.
... hath made the creation "subject to vanity" and corruption ... You will hardly take with
wickedness when you confess ... and in the next,"to all the treasures of wrath ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xxiv of sin by.htm

Chrysostom -- Excessive Grief at the Death of Friends
... For as in regard to visible treasures, while the surface ... he has been soon removed,
before wickedness had corrupted ... as the other Gentiles in the vanity of their ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/chrysostom excessive grief at.htm

The Important Question
... is no end of his treasures; that he ... life of happiness!" That wickedness is happiness ...
Ambition, covetousness, vanity, inordinate affection, malice, revengefulness ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 84 the important question.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about vanity? | GotQuestions.org

When does hygiene cross the line and become vanity? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of Ecclesiastes - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

Vanity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Vanity

Vanity: A Consequence of the Fall

Vanity: All Earthly Things Are

Vanity: All should Know and Acknowledge

Vanity: Alms Giving Without Charity Is

Vanity: Almsgiving Without Love Is

Vanity: Avoid

Vanity: Avoid Those Given To

Vanity: Childhood and Youth Are

Vanity: Every Man Has

Vanity: Every Man Is

Vanity: Every State of Man Is

Vanity: Evil People: Allure Others Through the Words of

Vanity: Evil People: Devise

Vanity: Evil People: Especially Characterized By

Vanity: Evil People: Imagine

Vanity: Evil People: Inherit

Vanity: Evil People: Judicially Given up To

Vanity: Evil People: Live By

Vanity: Evil People: Live In

Vanity: Evil People: Love

Vanity: Evil People: Reap

Vanity: Evil People: Regard God's Service As

Vanity: Evil People: Speak

Vanity: Evil People: Though Full of, Affect to be Wise

Vanity: Faith Without Works Is

Vanity: False Teaching is But

Vanity: Following Those Given To, Leads to Poverty

Vanity: Foolish Questions Are

Vanity: Fools Follow Those Given To

Vanity: Heaping up Riches Is

Vanity: Idolatry Is

Vanity: Love of Riches Is

Vanity: Lying Words Are

Vanity: Man at his Best Estate Is

Vanity: Man is Like To

Vanity: Man is Similar To

Vanity: Man, at his Best Estate, Is

Vanity: Man's own Righteousness Is

Vanity: Mere External Religion Is

Vanity: Pray to be Kept From

Vanity: Riches Gotten by Falsehood Are

Vanity: Saints Hate the Thoughts of

Vanity: Saints: Avoid

Vanity: Saints: Avoid Those Given To

Vanity: Saints: Hate the Thoughts of

Vanity: Saints: Pray to be Kept From

Vanity: The Beauty of Man Is

Vanity: The Conduct of the Ungodly Is

Vanity: The Days of Man Are

Vanity: The Help of Man In

Vanity: The Help of Man Is

Vanity: The Religion of Hypocrites Is

Vanity: The Thoughts of Man Are

Vanity: The Wicked: Allure Others by Words of

Vanity: The Wicked: Count God's Service As

Vanity: The Wicked: Devise

Vanity: The Wicked: Especially Characterised By

Vanity: The Wicked: Imagine

Vanity: The Wicked: Inherit

Vanity: The Wicked: Judicially Given up To

Vanity: The Wicked: Love

Vanity: The Wicked: Reap

Vanity: The Wicked: Speak

Vanity: The Wicked: Though Full of, Affect to be Wise

Vanity: The Wicked: Walk After

Vanity: The Wicked: Walk In

Vanity: The Worship of the Wicked Is

Vanity: They Who Trust In, Rewarded With

Vanity: Treasures of Wickedness Are

Vanity: Unblessed Riches Are

Vanity: Wealth Gotten By, Diminishes

Vanity: Worldly Anxiety

Vanity: Worldly Enjoyment Is

Vanity: Worldly Labor Is

Vanity: Worldly Labour Is

Vanity: Worldly Pleasure Is

Vanity: Worldly Possessions Are

Vanity: Worldly Wisdom Is

Vanity: Worldy Anxiety Is

Related Terms

Vanities (14 Occurrences)

Chasing (12 Occurrences)

Vexation (36 Occurrences)

Koheleth (7 Occurrences)

Futility (19 Occurrences)

Labored (35 Occurrences)

Striving (33 Occurrences)

Ecclesiastes (1 Occurrence)

Vainglory (2 Occurrences)

Divinations (10 Occurrences)

Pursuit (35 Occurrences)

Laboured (34 Occurrences)

Labouring (18 Occurrences)

Delusion (12 Occurrences)

Cord (47 Occurrences)

Aven (10 Occurrences)

Happens (32 Occurrences)

Altogether (56 Occurrences)

Happeneth (7 Occurrences)

Travail (54 Occurrences)

Nought (104 Occurrences)

Advantage (44 Occurrences)

Worthless (103 Occurrences)

Labour (119 Occurrences)

Recompense (79 Occurrences)

Occupation (9 Occurrences)

Laborest (1 Occurrence)

Labourest (1 Occurrence)

Lovest (13 Occurrences)

Wickedness (232 Occurrences)

Fleeting (9 Occurrences)

Trusting (45 Occurrences)

Takest (17 Occurrences)

Recompence (28 Occurrences)

Errors (15 Occurrences)

Emptiness (17 Occurrences)

Exhaust (2 Occurrences)

Deception (24 Occurrences)

Mockery (12 Occurrences)

Falsehood (107 Occurrences)

Inspection (23 Occurrences)

Fuel (13 Occurrences)

Grievous (73 Occurrences)

Joyfully (37 Occurrences)

Visitation (17 Occurrences)

Vain (141 Occurrences)

Enjoy (68 Occurrences)

Objects (30 Occurrences)

Deceived (55 Occurrences)

Preacher (27 Occurrences)

Gathereth (65 Occurrences)

Visions (43 Occurrences)

Gathering (71 Occurrences)

Considered (80 Occurrences)

Sad (73 Occurrences)

Toil (66 Occurrences)

Satisfied (110 Occurrences)

Fool (95 Occurrences)

Weary (77 Occurrences)

Highborn (1 Occurrence)

Quicken (16 Occurrences)

Vaunt (5 Occurrences)

Vanish (21 Occurrences)

Vainglorious (1 Occurrence)

Vanquish (1 Occurrence)

Nothing (769 Occurrences)

Untempered (5 Occurrences)

Justly (22 Occurrences)

Lothe (5 Occurrences)

Laboring (8 Occurrences)

Laughter (14 Occurrences)

Leveled (4 Occurrences)

Lacks (27 Occurrences)

Levity (2 Occurrences)

Lasciviousnesses (3 Occurrences)

Lacketh (17 Occurrences)

Life-time (12 Occurrences)

Vanity: They Who Trust In, Rewarded With
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