Topical Bible: Riches: Vanity of Heaping Up

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The concept of riches and the vanity associated with accumulating wealth is a recurring theme in the Bible. Scripture often warns against the pursuit of material wealth as an end in itself, emphasizing the spiritual dangers and moral pitfalls that accompany such endeavors.

Biblical Warnings Against the Pursuit of Riches

The Bible frequently cautions believers about the deceptive allure of riches. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon, known for his wisdom and wealth, reflects on the futility of amassing riches. He writes, "Whoever loves money is never satisfied by money, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile" (Ecclesiastes 5:10). This passage underscores the insatiable nature of greed and the emptiness that often accompanies the relentless pursuit of wealth.

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of wealth in the Parable of the Rich Fool. He warns, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (Luke 12:15). The parable illustrates the folly of prioritizing material wealth over spiritual riches, as the rich man's life is demanded of him before he can enjoy his accumulated goods.

The Spiritual Dangers of Wealth

Riches can lead to spiritual complacency and a false sense of security. In the Book of Revelation, the church in Laodicea is admonished for its lukewarm faith, attributed to its material prosperity: "You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing,’ but you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17). This rebuke highlights the spiritual poverty that can accompany material wealth when it becomes a substitute for reliance on God.

The Apostle Paul also warns Timothy about the dangers of wealth, stating, "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" (1 Timothy 6:10). Here, the love of money is identified as a source of spiritual peril, leading individuals away from faith and into various troubles.

The Proper Perspective on Wealth

While the Bible does not condemn wealth in itself, it emphasizes the importance of a proper attitude towards it. Believers are encouraged to view wealth as a tool for good rather than an end goal. In Proverbs, the wise are instructed, "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest" (Proverbs 3:9). This directive places God at the center of financial stewardship, encouraging generosity and the prioritization of spiritual over material wealth.

Jesus further teaches about the proper use of wealth in the Sermon on the Mount, advising, "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" (Matthew 6:19-20). This teaching calls believers to focus on eternal values and the kingdom of God rather than transient earthly riches.

Conclusion

The Bible presents a consistent message regarding the vanity of heaping up riches. It warns against the dangers of greed and the false security that wealth can bring, urging believers to seek spiritual riches and to use their material resources in ways that honor God and advance His kingdom.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 39:6
Surely every man walks in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heaps up riches, and knows not who shall gather them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ecclesiastes 5:10,11
He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loves abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xvi. 9, "Make to Yourselves ...
... filled your coffers thereby, and were heaping up treasure by ... so by them, "whose mouth
hath spoken vanity." By them ... of iniquity" of the Gospel is called riches. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxiii on the words.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. vi. 19, "Lay not up for ...
... Hast thou not heard, "If riches increase, set not your ... art saving I would say, "Thou
art heaping up treasure, and ... If the vanity hath continued in him, hath the ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon x on the words.htm

Of the Judgment and Punishment of the Wicked
... be, and the more fuel art thou heaping up for the ... Then contempt of riches shall have
more weight than all the ... All therefore is vanity, save to love God and to ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xxiv of the judgment.htm

With the Opening of this ChapterWe Come to Quite a Different Theme ...
... is the sorrowful groan, "This is also vanity." "If goods ... the Preacher has watched
the miser heaping up ever, and ... special line of the power of riches to give ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter v with the opening.htm

Psalm XXXIX.
... He heapeth up riches, and knoweth ... for whom he may be gathering them together." O
infatuated vanity! ... things: and tell me now, "You are heaping up treasures; for ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxix.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... the love of money, or the desire of riches, it would ... highly than he ought to think;
the vanity, the thirst ... and that thou thyself hast been heaping up sin upon ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 21 upon our lords.htm

The Honoured Guest
... and diversions, your losses, and your gains, heaping up, not knowing ... They are crying,
"Buy, buy," in Vanity Fair, while ... of Christ to be greater riches than the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/the honoured guest.htm

But we must Follow Our Preacher, who Can Only Turn Away with ...
... earth says are too vile for her, heaping their indignities ... strained in the race for
those riches that satisfy ... "Vanity" is the Preacher's commentary on the scene ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter iv but we must.htm

The Duty of the People of God to Excite Others to Seek this Rest.
... drawn to Christ; and what are the riches and privileges ... terrors of death and judgment;
the vanity of all ... goes deeper in debt; wrath is heaping up; sin taking ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter ix the duty of.htm

The First Stages. Ch. 9:51 to 13:21
... Jesus further rebuked the vanity and the desire for prominence ... by our Lord to teach
that riches neither form ... story of the rich man who was heaping up goods for ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/a the first stages ch.htm