The concept of luxury in the Bible often carries a negative connotation, associated with excess, indulgence, and moral decay. The Scriptures frequently warn against the dangers of a luxurious lifestyle, emphasizing the spiritual perils that accompany the pursuit of wealth and comfort at the expense of righteousness and devotion to God.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the prophets often condemned the luxurious lifestyles of the wealthy, particularly when it led to the oppression of the poor and a departure from God's commandments. The prophet Amos speaks against the complacency and indulgence of the Israelites, highlighting their luxurious living as a sign of impending judgment: "You lie on beds adorned with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves" (Amos 6:4). This passage illustrates how luxury can lead to a false sense of security and moral laxity.

Isaiah also addresses the issue of luxury, particularly in the context of Jerusalem's women: "The LORD says, 'The women of Zion are haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, strutting along with swaying hips, with ornaments jingling on their ankles'" (Isaiah 3:16). Here, luxury is linked to pride and vanity, which are condemned as contrary to the humble and obedient spirit God desires.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, Jesus warns against the deceitfulness of wealth and the dangers of a luxurious lifestyle. In the Parable of the Rich Fool, Jesus illustrates the folly of storing up earthly treasures without being "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21). The rich man's focus on luxury and self-indulgence ultimately leads to his spiritual ruin.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of luxury in his letters, urging believers to live modestly and to avoid the trappings of wealth that can lead to spiritual downfall. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10, Paul warns, "Those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" . Here, the pursuit of luxury is seen as a potential snare that can divert one's focus from God.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the Bible's treatment of luxury underscores the importance of prioritizing spiritual wealth over material abundance. The Scriptures consistently advocate for a life of contentment, generosity, and stewardship, warning that the pursuit of luxury can lead to spiritual complacency and moral compromise. Believers are encouraged to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that their needs will be met without succumbing to the excesses of a luxurious lifestyle (Matthew 6:33).

Practical Application

In practical terms, Christians are called to examine their own lives for signs of luxury that may hinder their relationship with God. This involves a conscious effort to live simply, to give generously, and to focus on eternal values rather than temporary pleasures. By doing so, believers can avoid the spiritual pitfalls associated with luxury and maintain a heart that is fully devoted to God.(a.) of or pertaining to luxury; ministering to luxury; supplied with the conditions of luxury; as, a luxurious life; a luxurious table; luxurious ease.5171. truphao -- to live luxuriously
... to live luxuriously. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: truphao Phonetic Spelling:
(troo-fah'-o) Short Definition: I live a luxurious life Definition: I live ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5171.htm - 7k

3045. liparos -- oily, fatty, fig. rich
... sumptuous. Word Origin from lipos (fat) Definition oily, fatty, fig. rich
NASB Word Usage luxurious (1). dainty, luxurious. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3045.htm - 6k

4763. streniao -- to run riot
... live luxuriously. From a presumed derivative of strenos; to be luxurious -- live
deliciously. see GREEK strenos. (estreniasen) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4763.htm - 6k

5170. Truphaina -- Tryphaena, a Christian woman
... Tryphena. From truphe; luxurious; Tryphoena, a Christian woman -- Tryphena. see
GREEK truphe. (truphainan) -- 1 Occurrence. 5169, 5170. Truphaina. 5171 . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5170.htm - 6k

6028. anog -- dainty
... Word Origin from anog Definition dainty NASB Word Usage delicate (2), delicate woman
(1). delicate. From anag; luxurious -- delicate. see HEBREW anag. ...
/hebrew/6028.htm - 6k

6027. oneg -- daintiness, exquisite delight
... delight. Word Origin from anog Definition daintiness, exquisite delight NASB
Word Usage delight (1), luxurious (1). delight, pleasant. ...
/hebrew/6027.htm - 6k

6026. anog -- to be soft, delicate, dainty
... A primitive root; to be soft or pliable, ie (figuratively) effeminate or luxurious --
delicate(-ness), (have) delight (self), sport self. 6025, 6026. ...
/hebrew/6026.htm - 6k

Chapter twenty-five
... But I have certainly led what the poor and desperate of this sinful city
would call a very comfortable, yes, a very luxurious life. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-five.htm

Persis
... Then there are, in the same verse as my text, two sisters, Tryphena and Tryphosa,
whose names mean 'the luxurious.' And the Apostle seems to think, as he ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/persis.htm

The Birthnight of Freedom
... There they have been eating and drinking their fill, and growing more weak, slavish,
luxurious, fonder and fonder of the flesh-pots of Egypt; fattening ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xii the birthnight of.htm

Chrysostom as Patriarch of Constantinople. AD 398-404.
... hospitals. He introduced his strict ascetic habits and reduced the luxurious
household of his predecessors to the strictest simplicity. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/chapter vii chrysostom as patriarch of.htm

That it is as Shameful for the virtues to Serve Human Glory as ...
... sought for its own sake, but the virtues on account of pleasure,"are wont to paint
a kind of word-picture, in which Pleasure sits like a luxurious queen on a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 20 that it is as.htm

By what Steps the Passion for Governing Increased among the Romans ...
... Moreover, a people becomes avaricious and luxurious by prosperity; and it was this
which that very prudent man Nasica was endeavouring to avoid when he opposed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 31 by what steps the.htm

Of the Two Classes of Voluptuous Men, and of their Death, Falling ...
... He said to me, "They are tortured in the same manner." [300] ["They are tormented
much less, sir," I replied; [301] ] "for those who are so luxurious and who ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/similitude sixth of the two.htm

Philip visits St. Nilus
... the tutor of Arcadius and Honorius, who followed his example four years later, he
had up to that time lived amid the splendour of a luxurious Court, attended ...
/.../chapter lxii philip visits st.htm

On Eating.
... In their greed and solicitude, the gluttons seem absolutely to sweep the
world with a drag-net to gratify their luxurious tastes. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clement/the instructor paedagogus/chap i on eating.htm

The War in Heaven.
... And if any say"as too many in these luxurious unbelieving days will
say"What words are these? Threatening, terrible, cruel? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xxi the war in.htm

Luxurious (9 Occurrences)
... (a.) of or pertaining to luxury; ministering to luxury; supplied with the conditions
of luxury; as, a luxurious life; a luxurious table; luxurious ease. ...
/l/luxurious.htm - 9k

Delicate (32 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Addicted to pleasure; luxurious; voluptuous; alluring. ...
15. (n.) A delicate, luxurious, or effeminate person. Int. ...
/d/delicate.htm - 19k

Luxury (8 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:25 But what did you go out to see? A man wearing luxurious clothes? People
who are gorgeously dressed and live in luxury are found in palaces. ...
/l/luxury.htm - 9k

Luxuriously (6 Occurrences)
... Matthew 11:8 But what did you go out to see? A man luxuriously dressed? Those who
wear luxurious clothes are to be found in kings' palaces. (WEY). ...
/l/luxuriously.htm - 8k

Furniture (24 Occurrences)
... In Nahum 2:9 the singular form of the word keli is used, and is rendered "furniture."
The prophet refers to the abundant, costly, luxurious furniture and ...
/f/furniture.htm - 16k

Palaces (37 Occurrences)
... A man luxuriously dressed? Those who wear luxurious clothes are to be found in
kings' palaces. (WEY NAS NIV). ... A man wearing luxurious clothes? ...
/p/palaces.htm - 17k

Colour (22 Occurrences)
... Robes of this colour were worn by kings (Judges 8:26) and high officers (Esther
8:15). They were also worn by the wealthy and luxurious (Jeremiah 10:9; Ezek. ...
/c/colour.htm - 21k

Clothes (208 Occurrences)
... A man luxuriously dressed? Those who wear luxurious clothes are to be found
in kings' palaces. (WEY NIV). ... A man wearing luxurious clothes? ...
/c/clothes.htm - 37k

Voluptuous (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Full of delight or pleasure; exciting
sensual desires; luxurious; sensual; as, voluptuous beauty. ...
/v/voluptuous.htm - 7k

Luxuries (2 Occurrences)

/l/luxuries.htm - 7k

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