Topical Bible: Riches: The Wicked: Profit not By

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In the biblical context, riches are often seen as a blessing from God, but they can also become a snare, particularly for the wicked. The Scriptures provide numerous warnings about the futility and danger of ill-gotten wealth. The Bible consistently teaches that riches obtained through wicked means do not bring true profit or lasting security.

Proverbs 10:2 states, "Ill-gotten treasures profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death." This verse highlights the temporary nature of wealth acquired through unjust means. While such riches may provide a fleeting sense of gain, they ultimately offer no real benefit, especially in the face of divine judgment.

Proverbs 11:4 further emphasizes this point: "Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death." Here, the Bible contrasts the ineffectiveness of wealth in providing salvation or protection during times of divine retribution with the enduring value of righteousness.

The prophet Jeremiah also speaks to the futility of wickedly gained wealth. In Jeremiah 17:11, it is written, "Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay is the man who gains riches by unjust means. When his life is half over, they will desert him, and in the end he will be a fool." This imagery underscores the idea that wealth obtained through deceit or injustice is ultimately unstable and unreliable.

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of wealth and its potential to lead one astray. In Mark 8:36, He asks, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" This rhetorical question serves as a stark reminder that no amount of earthly wealth can compensate for the loss of one's eternal soul.

The apostle Paul also warns against the dangers of pursuing wealth unrighteously. 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 highlights the spiritual peril that accompanies the pursuit of wealth, particularly when it becomes an idol or is sought through sinful means.

The Bible's teachings on riches and the wicked serve as a cautionary tale, urging believers to seek righteousness and contentment rather than the fleeting and ultimately unprofitable gains of ill-gotten wealth.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 11:4
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivers from death.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 13:7
There is that makes himself rich, yet has nothing: there is that makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
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Ecclesiastes 5:11
When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Stink of Lechery and the Peril of Touching: and of the ...
... good into ill, and whereby they ween to profit, thereof they ... but fleshly desires,
or to increase riches, and making ... for; for certain it is less wicked to touch ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xxiv of the stink.htm

Appendix.
... Riches profit not in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivereth from death.
When a righteous man dieth, remorse is felt, but the ruin of the wicked calleth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the general menaion/appendix.htm

Of the Judgment and Punishment of the Wicked
... XXIV Of the judgment and punishment of the wicked. ... Then contempt of riches shall
have more weight than all ... and pleasures, what would the whole profit thee if ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xxiv of the judgment.htm

Profit and Loss
... inevitable death, in spite of all your riches; and if ... Go, wicked, rich man; heap
up thy gold; mayhap it ... by doing something for their worldly profit, which, in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/profit and loss.htm

"Boast not Thyself of To-Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day ...
... the most part of men make their riches, that is ... Certain I am, that many boast of
wicked designs, and ... part glory and boast in things that profit not, and will ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vi boast not thyself.htm

To Confirm what Has Been Said Above About Rewards and Punishments. ...
... Perhaps thou sayest: Why are the wicked joyous? ... They have the profit of labour, but
not the fruits of ... by cunning and wickedness they heap up riches; but they ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xvi to confirm what.htm

Whether Every Punishment is Inflicted for a Sin?
... are [they] advanced, and strengthened with riches" (?)[The words ... and holdest Thy
peace, when the wicked man oppresseth ... a lesser good, that he may profit in a ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether every punishment is inflicted.htm

Faustus Claims that the Manich??ans and not the Catholics are ...
... He will not be seen by the wicked; for "blessed ... you really to fulfill them, would
not profit you without ... With these are joined, in the abundant riches of God's ...
/.../faustus claims that the manichaeans.htm

Bunyan's Dying Sayings.
... life but what is mingled with some evil: honours perplex, riches disquiet, and ... not
a time coming when the godly may ask the wicked, what profit they have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/miscellaneous pieces/bunyans dying sayings.htm

Whether Vengeance Should be Wrought by Means of Punishments ...
... whereby he is mulcted in his riches; "ignominy," whereby he ... But sometimes the wicked
can be uprooted by death ... without danger, but even with great profit, to the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether vengeance should be wrought.htm