Topical Bible: Riches: Denunciations Against Those Who: Hoard Up

◄ Riches: Denunciations Against Those Who: Hoard Up ►

Topical Encyclopedia

The Bible contains numerous warnings and denunciations against the hoarding of riches, emphasizing the spiritual dangers and moral pitfalls associated with accumulating wealth for selfish purposes. The Scriptures consistently teach that wealth should be used responsibly and generously, rather than being stored up for personal gain or security.

Old Testament Warnings

The Old Testament provides several instances where the hoarding of wealth is condemned. In Proverbs, wisdom literature offers guidance on the proper attitude towards riches. Proverbs 11:28 states, "He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." This verse highlights the futility of relying on wealth for security, contrasting it with the flourishing of the righteous who trust in God.

The prophet Isaiah also speaks against those who accumulate wealth unjustly. Isaiah 5:8 declares, "Woe to those who add house to house and join field to field, until there is no more room and you alone dwell in the land." This denunciation is directed at those who expand their wealth and property at the expense of others, leading to social injustice and inequality.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ frequently addresses the issue of wealth and its potential to lead individuals away from God. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns against storing up earthly treasures: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal" (Matthew 6:19). Instead, He encourages His followers to store up treasures in heaven, emphasizing the eternal value of spiritual wealth over material possessions.

The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 further illustrates the folly of hoarding wealth. In this parable, a rich man plans to build larger barns to store his abundant crops, only to lose his life that very night. Jesus concludes the parable with a stark warning: "This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God" (Luke 12:21). The parable underscores the transient nature of earthly wealth and the importance of being spiritually rich.

The apostle James also addresses the issue of hoarding wealth in his epistle. James 5:1-3 warns the rich of impending judgment: "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. You have hoarded treasure in the last days." James condemns the selfish accumulation of wealth, highlighting the moral decay and divine judgment that accompany such actions.

Theological Implications

The denunciations against hoarding riches in the Bible reflect a broader theological principle: wealth is a gift from God and should be used in accordance with His will. The Scriptures call believers to practice stewardship, generosity, and justice, using their resources to serve others and advance God's kingdom. Hoarding wealth for personal gain is seen as a violation of these principles, leading to spiritual peril and divine disapproval.

Throughout the Bible, the emphasis is placed on the heart's attitude towards wealth. Believers are encouraged to trust in God rather than riches, to seek first His kingdom, and to lay up treasures in heaven. The denunciations against hoarding serve as a sobering reminder of the spiritual dangers associated with wealth and the call to live a life of faith, generosity, and righteousness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ecclesiastes 5:13,14
There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

James 5:3
Your gold and silver is corroded; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. You have heaped treasure together for the last days.
Torrey's Topical Textbook