Topical Bible: Riches: Cannot Redeem the Soul

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The Bible consistently teaches that material wealth, while often seen as a blessing, holds no power to redeem the soul or secure eternal life. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing the transient nature of earthly riches and the eternal value of spiritual wealth.

Psalm 49:6-9: The psalmist poignantly addresses the futility of trusting in wealth for redemption: "They trust in their wealth and boast in great riches. No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God. For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice, that he should live on forever and not see decay." This passage underscores the insufficiency of riches to purchase eternal life, highlighting the priceless nature of the soul's redemption.

Proverbs 11:4: "Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death." Here, the wisdom literature contrasts the temporary security that wealth might provide with the enduring deliverance that comes from righteousness. The "day of wrath" refers to divine judgment, a time when material wealth offers no protection or advantage.

Matthew 16:26: Jesus Himself addresses the issue of wealth and the soul: "What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" This rhetorical question highlights the incomparable value of the soul over worldly possessions, urging believers to prioritize spiritual over material wealth.

Luke 12:15-21: In the parable of the rich fool, Jesus warns against greed and the false security of riches. The rich man, who stores up wealth for himself, is called a fool because he is not "rich toward God." This narrative illustrates the suddenness of death and the ultimate futility of hoarding earthly treasures without regard for one's spiritual state.

1 Timothy 6:7-10: The Apostle Paul advises Timothy on the dangers of wealth: "For we brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." Paul warns that the pursuit of wealth can lead to spiritual peril, emphasizing contentment and godliness as true gain.

James 5:1-3: James issues a stern warning to the wealthy: "Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail for the misery to come upon you. Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire." This passage serves as a prophetic denunciation of those who place their trust in wealth, reminding believers of the temporal nature of material possessions.

Throughout Scripture, the consistent message is clear: while riches may provide temporary comfort and security, they are powerless to redeem the soul. True redemption and eternal life are found only through faith in Jesus Christ, who paid the ultimate price for humanity's salvation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 49:6-9
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 1:18
For as much as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ, the Believer's Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and ...
... But perhaps you despise riches and pleasure, and therefore ... one, whom he did not
completely redeem and glorify ... are without repentance: and I cannot think they ...
/.../christ the believers wisdom righteousness.htm

Dr. Martin Luther Concerning Penitence and Indulgences.
... are nets, wherewith they now fish for the riches of men ... We affirm on the contrary
that Papal pardons cannot take away ... man and an enemy of God to redeem a pious ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/disputation of dr martin luther.htm

Of the Duties which we are to Perform after Receiving the Holy ...
... thine image by thy Spirit, and didst redeem my soul ... O what an inestimable treasure
of riches, and overflowing ... And, albeit, I cannot weep so many tears as may ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/iii of the duties which.htm

"Seek First the Kingdom of God," &C.
... Kings cannot give empires, unless they unking themselves. ... The whole earth is full
of his riches, and the ... said so too,"even angels could not redeem us,"the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xix seek first the.htm

Our Requests Made Known unto God
... The fertile fields cannot produce true riches. ... that the Saviour has given everything
to redeem us, and ... The dreary confines of a prison cannot stifle the songs ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 2 our requests made.htm

The Character of the Persons for whom this Rest is Designed.
... idolized his riches, into a condition wherein they cannot help him ... says to him,
"Try if your credit, riches, or pleasures ... or redeem your soul from eternal flames ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter iv the character of.htm

The Greatness of the Soul,
... their strong and their weak points, their riches and poverty. ... his cross, and come
after me, he cannot be my ... his soul?'"that is, to recover or redeem his lost ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the greatness of the soul.htm

'A Dew from the Lord'
... to direct efforts to impart the Gospel cannot be shirked ... my hand hath found as a
nest the riches of the ... He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a dew from the lord.htm

"My Little Children, These Things Write I unto You, that Ye Sin ...
... man will needs hug and embrace his sins, and cannot part with ... of good works;" and
not only to redeem us from ... in the earth, that river of his riches that runs ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxii my little children.htm

A Description of Heart-Purity
... he flies to his money and that must redeem him ... Now if the out-goings of your soul
are after holiness ... 1). It commends us to God and angels, which riches cannot do ...
/.../16 a description of heart-purity.htm