Topical Bible: Riches: They Who Possess, should not Boast of Obtaining Them

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Riches, in the biblical context, are often seen as a blessing from God, yet they come with significant responsibilities and warnings. The Scriptures provide numerous teachings on the attitude one should have towards wealth, emphasizing humility and the recognition of God as the ultimate source of all blessings.

Biblical Warnings Against Boasting in Riches

The Bible consistently warns against placing trust in riches or boasting about them. In Jeremiah 9:23-24 , the Lord declares, "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice, and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things, declares the LORD."

This passage underscores the futility of boasting in material wealth, as true boasting should be in the knowledge and understanding of God. Riches are transient and can lead to a false sense of security, diverting one's focus from the eternal to the temporal.

The Parable of the Rich Fool

Jesus' teachings further illustrate the dangers of boasting in wealth. In the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21), a rich man plans to store up his abundant harvests, saying to himself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and be merry!" However, God calls him a fool, for that very night his life would be demanded of him. Jesus concludes, "This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God."

This parable highlights the folly of relying on earthly riches and the importance of being "rich toward God," which involves using one's resources for His glory and the benefit of others.

The Apostle Paul's Instruction

The Apostle Paul also addresses the attitude towards wealth in his letters. In 1 Timothy 6:17-19 , he instructs, "Command those who are rich in this 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 deeds, and to be generous and ready to share."

Paul's exhortation is clear: wealth should not lead to arrogance or misplaced trust. Instead, it should be a means to perform good deeds and to share generously, reflecting God's provision and care.

The Example of King Solomon

King Solomon, known for his immense wealth and wisdom, provides a historical example of the complexities of riches. While Solomon initially sought wisdom over wealth (1 Kings 3:9-13), his later years were marked by excess and idolatry, leading to his spiritual decline (1 Kings 11:1-11). Solomon's life serves as a cautionary tale of how wealth, if not managed with a heart aligned to God, can lead to spiritual downfall.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on riches is clear: they are not to be a source of pride or self-reliance. Instead, believers are called to acknowledge God as the provider, to use their wealth for His purposes, and to maintain a humble heart, recognizing that true riches are found in a relationship with Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 8:17
And you say in your heart, My power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of Meditating on the Future Life.
... with too much eagerness after fleeting and fading riches, or rest in those which
they already possess, he reduces ... are so afraid of it that they tremble at ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 9 of meditating on.htm

Perfect Knowledge Cannot be Attained in the Present Life: Many ...
... He is good, and possesses boundless riches, a kingdom ... 8. Moreover, they possess no
proof of their system, which ... of those who maintain that they have searched ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxviii perfect knowledge cannot be.htm

Tenth Sunday after Trinity Spiritual Counsel for Church Officers.
... he could not, with all his riches, his dominion ... They belong to God alone, though
human mouths and ... For, unquestionably, none would possess office and gifts had ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/tenth sunday after trinity spiritual.htm

2 Timothy iii. 7-Jan
... Many devils indeed now possess it, but then they would ... have turned aside after Satan,"
because they have not ... heart knows how to secure their riches, even He ...
/.../homily vii 2 timothy iii.htm

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Trinity Prayer and Spiritual Knowledge.
... so on, a knowledge even the Jews and Turks possess. ... But they who exercise themselves
in these spiritual graces by ... all the gold, silver and other riches of this ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty fourth sunday after trinity.htm

Go in Peace
... go in peace." It is heaven begun below to possess "the peace ... to come he might shew
the exceeding riches of his ... They will contrive, by some method or other, to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 48 1902/go in peace.htm

Morality and Doctrine
... Weakness."Every pursuit of men is to get wealth; and they cannot have a title to
show that they possess it justly ... I love riches because they afford me ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section vii morality and doctrine.htm

Calvin -- Enduring Persecution for Christ
... The firmness necessary we can not possess, unless it be ... our faith, which surpasses
all the riches of the ... fixed point among all Christians, that they ought not ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/calvin enduring persecution for.htm

Of Justification by Faith. Both the Name and the Reality Defined.
... of sins with justification in such a way as to show that they are altogether ... is by
being made partakers with Christ, since with him we possess all riches. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 of justification by.htm

Two Things to be Observed in Gratuitous Justification.
... let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let ... in fine, to despair; it is to possess
sure certainty ... that they can only waver and fluctuate if they depend on ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 two things to.htm