Riches, in the biblical context, refer to material wealth and possessions. The Scriptures provide extensive guidance on the attitude believers should have towards wealth, emphasizing that while riches themselves are not inherently evil, the love of money and setting one's heart on wealth can lead to spiritual peril.

Biblical Warnings Against Trusting in Riches

The Bible consistently warns against placing trust in riches. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10 , the Apostle Paul cautions, "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." This passage highlights the spiritual dangers associated with an inordinate desire for wealth.

Similarly, Proverbs 11:28 states, "He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." This proverb contrasts the fleeting nature of wealth with the enduring prosperity of righteousness, urging believers to place their trust in God rather than material possessions.

The Temporary Nature of Riches

The Bible underscores the temporary and uncertain nature 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." This teaching encourages believers to focus on eternal values rather than temporal wealth.

James 5:1-3 further warns, "Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over 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." This passage serves as a stark reminder of the impermanence of earthly wealth and the judgment that awaits those who hoard it selfishly.

Riches as a Test of Faithfulness

While riches can be a blessing, they also serve as a test of faithfulness and stewardship. In Luke 16:10-11 , Jesus teaches, "Whoever is faithful with very little is also faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches?" This parable emphasizes the importance of using material wealth responsibly and faithfully, as a preparation for greater spiritual responsibilities.

The Call to Generosity

The Bible calls those who possess riches to be generous and willing to share. In 1 Timothy 6:17-19 , Paul 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." This passage encourages the wealthy to use their resources for the benefit of others, thereby laying up treasures in heaven.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on riches is clear: while wealth itself is not condemned, the heart's attitude towards it is of utmost importance. Believers are called to view riches as a tool for good, to be used in service to God and others, rather than as an end in itself. By maintaining a proper perspective on wealth, Christians can avoid the spiritual pitfalls associated with materialism and instead focus on the eternal riches found in Christ.Psalm 62:10
Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xvi. 9, "Make to Yourselves ...
... says this, "Make to yourselves friends of the riches of iniquity ... For they say, "To
plunder the goods of others, is ... give out of that which ye possess rightfully. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxiii on the words.htm

On the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Ghost
... (8) Blessed are they that suffer ... in spirit if he does not set his heart upon riches
and the ... would be willing to offend God in order to possess them, or rather ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 16 on the gifts.htm

Temporal Advantages.
... says, "Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me ... the pleasure which we beforehand
suppose they will bring ... Watch narrowly the persons who possess them, and you ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon v temporal advantages.htm

The Communion of Gifts.
... Him want and misery make place for riches and abundance. ... especially adapted to himself,
yet all possess the one ... in the gracious operation of which they are the ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxvii the communion of gifts.htm

Divine and Worldly Conformity
... many a person into thinking that he had found riches. ... not manifest them, it is because
we do not possess them. ... expect that these principles as they relate to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk nineteen divine and worldly.htm

"Boast not Thyself of to Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day ...
... such a selfish disposition or inclination possess any part of ... and certain joy in
uncertain riches, and solid ... of present sorrows, but at length they recur with ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vii boast not thyself.htm

Being Troubled by his Grievous Errors, He Meditates Entering on a ...
... Even those things are enjoyable; and they possess some and ... should knock at Thine
ears, and should with firm ... a beauteous wife, the pomp of riches, the emptiness ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xi being troubled by his.htm

"But the End of all Things is at Hand, be Ye Therefore Sober and ...
... in want,"to have nothing, and yet possess all things. ... thinks not that he serves his
riches, yet Christ ... affections are the man's master, and they command the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xx but the end.htm

How Far Christians Ought to be from Boasting, if they have done ...
... the censor, because he was discovered to possess ten pounds ... who make common property
of their riches with a ... of such great men, the reward which they sought was ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 18 how far christians ought.htm

Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii.
... have not the lawful use of what we possess; but every ... Advice, do what good he can
with the Riches he hath ... or intreated by others to do them; but they must set ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon worldly-riches sect ii.htm

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Riches: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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