In biblical terms, a "hoard" refers to the accumulation and storage of wealth or valuable items, often with the implication of selfishness or lack of trust in God's provision. The concept of hoarding is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, where it is often portrayed negatively, emphasizing the spiritual dangers and moral implications associated with the excessive accumulation of material possessions.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament frequently warns against the dangers of hoarding wealth. In Proverbs, wisdom literature offers insights into the futility of amassing riches without purpose. Proverbs 11:28 states, "He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." This verse highlights the transient nature of wealth and the importance of righteousness over material accumulation.

In Ecclesiastes, the Preacher reflects on the vanity of hoarding wealth, noting that it ultimately leads to dissatisfaction and is left to others after death. Ecclesiastes 5:13-14 observes, "There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost in a bad venture, so that when he has a son there is nothing to pass on."

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to address the issue of hoarding, particularly through the teachings of Jesus. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns against storing up treasures on earth, where they are subject to decay and theft. Matthew 6:19-21 records His words: "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."

The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 further illustrates the folly of hoarding. The rich man plans to build larger barns to store his surplus grain, only to lose his life that very night. Jesus concludes the parable by saying, "This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God."

Apostolic Writings

The apostolic writings also address the issue of hoarding. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10, Paul warns against the love of money, stating, "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."

James 5:1-3 offers a stern warning to the wealthy who hoard their riches unjustly: "Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail for 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."

Spiritual Implications

The biblical perspective on hoarding underscores the spiritual dangers of placing trust in material wealth rather than in God. Hoarding is often associated with greed, selfishness, and a lack of faith. The Bible encourages believers to be generous, to trust in God's provision, and to focus on storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. The teachings emphasize that true security and fulfillment come from a relationship with God and living a life of righteousness and generosity.

Paul and his Requests for Prayer
... The most powerful and far-reaching energy in Paul's estimate is prayer. He covets
it and hoards it as he seeks the prayers of God's people. ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/xv paul and his requests.htm

Treatise x. On Jealousy and Envy.
... wrecklessness of murder; to make the cheat, he presents dishonest gains; to take
captive the soul by money, he heaps together mischievous hoards; he promises ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise x on jealousy and.htm

Association
... Many beasts have forethought enough; the very sleepmouse hoards up acorns
against the winter; a fox will hide the game he cannot eat. ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xx association.htm

While Diocletian, that Author of Ill, and Deviser of Misery...
... the sums of money in his treasury to be diminished: he was constantly heaping together
extraordinary aids and free gifts, that his original hoards might remain ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap vii while diocletian that.htm

The Song of the Little Baltung. AD 395
... He showed him the hoards of the dragons and trolls, Rare jewels and heaps of gold"
'Hast thou seen, in all thy hundred years, Such as these, thou king so old ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the song of the little.htm

The Last Buccaneer
... Thence we sailed against the Spaniard with his hoards of plate and gold, Which he
wrung with cruel tortures from Indian folk of old; Likewise the merchant ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the last buccaneer.htm

Treasure and Pearl
... So, on the one hand we find the practice of hiding away little hoards in some suitable
place, beneath a rock, in the cleft of a tree, or a hole dug in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/treasure and pearl.htm

The Song of the Angels
... He who seeks peace does not find it. He who gives peace finds it returning to him
again. He who hoards his life loses it, and he who speeds it finds it:". ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/xxx the song of the.htm

The Poor Rich and the Rich Poor
... The latter character, that of a man who hides and hoards his wealth, was, perhaps,
more common in the days when this collection of Proverbs was put together ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the poor rich and the.htm

On the Danger of Increasing Riches
... himself and his family, and a little to spare for them that have not, is properly
a rich man; unless he is a miser, a lover of money, one that hoards up what ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 126 on the danger.htm

Hoards (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hoards (2 Occurrences). Proverbs 11:26 He who keeps
back grain will be cursed by the people; but a blessing ...
/h/hoards.htm - 6k

Hoarded (3 Occurrences)

/h/hoarded.htm - 7k

Hoarfrost (3 Occurrences)

/h/hoarfrost.htm - 7k

What does the Bible say about compulsive hoarding? | GotQuestions.org

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