Topical Bible: Riches: The True Riches

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In the biblical context, the concept of riches extends beyond material wealth to encompass spiritual and eternal treasures. The Scriptures provide a nuanced understanding of what constitutes true riches, emphasizing the eternal over the temporal and the spiritual over the material.

Old Testament Insights

The Old Testament often associates material wealth with God's blessing, as seen in the lives of patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, it also warns against the dangers of relying on riches. Proverbs 11:28 states, "He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." This highlights the transient nature of material wealth and the enduring value of righteousness.

The Psalms frequently contrast the fleeting nature of earthly riches with the eternal nature of God's provision. Psalm 49:16-17 advises, "Do not be amazed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases. For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down." This underscores the futility of placing ultimate trust in material wealth.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament further develops the theme of true riches, often contrasting earthly wealth with spiritual wealth. Jesus' teachings in the Gospels frequently address the issue of riches. In Matthew 6:19-21 , Jesus instructs, "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 emphasizes the importance of prioritizing heavenly treasures over earthly ones.

The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 serves as a stark warning against the folly of hoarding wealth without regard for one's spiritual state. The rich man, who plans to build larger barns to store his surplus, is called a fool by God, who demands his life that very night. This parable illustrates the danger of focusing solely on material wealth while neglecting one's relationship with God.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of true riches in his epistles. In 1 Timothy 6:17-19 , he advises, "Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." Paul encourages believers to use their material wealth for good works, thereby laying up true riches in the form of eternal rewards.

Spiritual Riches in Christ

The New Testament reveals that true riches are found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:7-8 declares, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." The riches of God's grace, manifested in salvation and forgiveness, are portrayed as the ultimate treasure.

Colossians 2:2-3 further describes Christ as the source of all true wisdom and knowledge: "My goal is that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." This passage highlights the spiritual wealth available to believers through a deep and abiding relationship with Christ.

Eternal Perspective

The Bible consistently calls believers to adopt an eternal perspective on riches. Hebrews 11:26 speaks of Moses, who "regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward." This forward-looking faith exemplifies the biblical view that true riches are found in the promises of God and the hope of eternal life.

In summary, the biblical concept of true riches transcends material wealth, focusing instead on spiritual and eternal treasures. Through faith in Christ and a life characterized by righteousness, good works, and generosity, believers are called to store up treasures in heaven, where true riches reside.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 3:8
To me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 1:30
But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
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Colossians 2:3
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 2:7
To you therefore which believe he is precious: but to them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
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Library

Godliness, not Gain, the True Riches.
... The Second Epistle of Clement. Chapter XX."Godliness, Not Gain, the True
Riches. But let it not even trouble your mind, that we ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter xx godliness not gain the.htm

Two Kinds of Riches
... much.11. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon,
who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12. And ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/two kinds of riches.htm

On the Danger of Increasing Riches
... 2. It is true, riches, and the increase of them, are the gift of God. Yet
great care is to be taken, that what is intended for a ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 126 on the danger.htm

On Riches
... 4. From the love of God, and from no other fountain, true humility likewise flows.
Therefore, so far as they hinder the love of God, riches must hinder ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 108 on riches.htm

Psalm CXXIII.
... But a Christian ought not to be wealthy, but ought to acknowledge himself poor;
and if he hath riches, he ought to know that they are not true riches, so that ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxiii.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xvi. 9, "Make to Yourselves ...
... It is money which iniquity calls by the name of riches. For if we seek for the true
riches, they are different from these. ... These then are the true riches. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxiii on the words.htm

Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii.
... in uncertain Riches, which I confess is a very hard Lesson for a rich Man to learn,
nothing being more difficult than to have Riches, and not to true in them ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon worldly-riches sect ii.htm

The Gains of the Faithful Steward
... which is least,' the unrighteous mammon,' 'that which is another's'; whilst the
higher is magnified as being 'that which is most,' 'the true riches,' 'your own ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the gains of the faithful.htm

Thoughts Upon Worldly Riches. Sect. I.
... or Riches of any sort or kind whatsoever. 2. By the Love of Money we are to understand
that Sin which the Scriptures call Covetousness, and the true nature and ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon worldly riches sect.htm

Our Requests Made Known unto God
... ". . . A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." "
Luke 12:14. The fertile fields cannot produce true riches. ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 2 our requests made.htm