Topical Bible: Riches: Often Lead to Anxiety

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The Bible presents a nuanced view of wealth, acknowledging both its potential for good and its propensity to lead to anxiety and spiritual peril. Throughout Scripture, riches are frequently depicted as a source of concern and distraction from spiritual priorities.

Old Testament Insights

In the Old Testament, the wisdom literature often addresses the anxiety associated with wealth. Proverbs 15:16 states, "Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil." This verse highlights the peace that comes from a life centered on reverence for God, contrasting it with the unrest that can accompany material abundance. Similarly, Ecclesiastes 5:10 observes, "He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is futile." The Preacher underscores the insatiable nature of wealth, suggesting that the pursuit of riches can lead to a cycle of dissatisfaction and anxiety.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus frequently addressing the spiritual dangers of wealth. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns against the anxiety that comes from storing up earthly treasures. Matthew 6:19-21 advises, "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." Here, Jesus links the location of one's treasure with the focus of one's heart, implying that earthly riches can lead to misplaced priorities and resultant anxiety.

The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in his epistles. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10 , he writes, "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. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." Paul warns Timothy of the spiritual dangers and emotional turmoil that can accompany the pursuit of wealth, emphasizing that the love of money can lead to a departure from faith and an increase in personal distress.

Parables and Illustrations

Jesus' parables often illustrate the anxiety associated with riches. The Parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12:16-21 tells of a man who hoards his wealth, only to face sudden death, leaving his riches behind. Jesus concludes with a warning: "This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God." The parable serves as a cautionary tale about the futility and anxiety of accumulating wealth without regard for one's spiritual state.

Practical Implications

The biblical narrative suggests that while wealth itself is not inherently evil, it often leads to anxiety when it becomes the primary focus of one's life. The Scriptures encourage believers to seek contentment and trust in God's provision, as seen in Philippians 4:6-7 : "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This passage offers a remedy for anxiety, directing believers to rely on God's peace rather than the uncertainty of riches.

In summary, the Bible consistently warns of the anxiety that can accompany the pursuit and possession of wealth, urging believers to prioritize their relationship with God over material gain.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ecclesiastes 5:12
The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Conversations.
... to possess their wealth, but they very often are by ... Sacian, since he seemed to think
that riches would afford ... of war, so that he might thenceforth lead a life ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter xi conversations.htm

Profit and Loss
... seen the weary horny-handed sons of toil, often oppressed and ... inevitable death, in
spite of all your riches; and if ... profit, which, in the end, must lead to the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/profit and loss.htm

{24A} Upon the Love of Our Neighbour. Preached on Advent Sunday.
... appetites, passions, affections, or the pursuits they lead to. ... There is often an
interfering in the former when there ... Thus as to riches: so much money as a man ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon xi 24a upon the.htm

The Great Shepherd
... These He will gently lead. ... of the righteous (Psalm 34:19) , by which they are often
wearied and ... it, a lucrative fable; the more he accumulates riches, the more ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xiii the great shepherd.htm

Again on the Calamity of the City of Antioch. ...
... Riches are not able to profit the little-minded: nor is ... seem to be indifferent, yet
by degrees lead us into ... may not fall over, trembles; and very often he is ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xv again on the.htm

Speaks of the Manner in which God Communicates with the Soul by ...
... such utter contempt of all that does not lead to Him. ... 5. However, I know that she
often felt great alarm ... refuse to exchange it for any earthly riches or delight ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter viii speaks of the.htm

Matt. xii. 46-49.
... Unto what a height doth she lead up him that ... what signifies our not being ruined
by riches, if we ... the belly too, together with these members, often ruins and ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xliv matt xii 46-49.htm

1 Cor. xii. 1, 2
... on his future road, unless he be changed: and, even before punishment, often-times
his riches become to him the cause of many evils, and lead him into ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxix 1 cor xii.htm

Christian Morals. Part I.
... Self-credulity, pride, and levity lead unto self ... observing the unnatural current
of riches, power, and ... imperfection and demerit of persons often advanced unto ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/christian morals part i.htm

2 Cor. Ix. 1
... and one that has given much is often sorrowful, whilst ... He prays not for riches nor
for abundance, but for all ... mind to emulate that widow, we will lead thee on ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xix 2 cor ix.htm