Topical Bible: Riches: Cannot Secure Prosperity

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The Bible presents a nuanced view of wealth, emphasizing that material riches, while not inherently evil, cannot guarantee true prosperity or security. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, warning believers against placing their trust in wealth rather than in God.

Old Testament Insights

The Old Testament frequently addresses the limitations of riches. In Proverbs, wisdom literature offers profound insights into the nature of wealth. 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 contrasts it with the enduring prosperity of righteousness.

Ecclesiastes, attributed to Solomon, a king known for his immense wealth, reflects on the futility of riches. Ecclesiastes 5:10 declares, "He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is futile." The Preacher underscores that the pursuit of wealth often leads to dissatisfaction and a sense of emptiness.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus Christ offering profound teachings on the subject. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns against storing up treasures on earth, where they are vulnerable to decay and theft. Matthew 6:19-21 advises, "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 relying on wealth for security. The rich man, who plans to build larger barns to store his abundant crops, is called a fool by God, who demands his life that very night. Jesus concludes, "This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God."

The Apostle Paul echoes these sentiments in his epistles. In 1 Timothy 6:17 , he instructs Timothy, "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." Paul emphasizes the uncertainty of riches and the importance of placing hope in God.

Warnings and Encouragements

Throughout Scripture, believers are cautioned against the deceitfulness of riches. In the parable of the sower, Jesus describes how the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful (Matthew 13:22). This serves as a warning that wealth can distract from spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

Despite these warnings, the Bible does not condemn wealth itself but rather the misplaced trust in it. Believers are encouraged to use their resources wisely and generously. In 2 Corinthians 9:11 , Paul writes, "You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." Here, wealth is seen as a means to bless others and glorify God.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on riches is clear: while wealth can be a blessing, it is not a reliable source of security or prosperity. True prosperity is found in a life aligned with God's will, characterized by righteousness, generosity, and trust in Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

James 1:11
For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it wither the grass, and the flower thereof falls, and the grace of the fashion of it perishes: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The First Season
... There are several helps to secure the heart from the ... many godly men have paid for
their riches; that through ... have lost that which all the world cannot purchase ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/i the first season.htm

The Care of the Soul Urged as the one Thing Needful
... be happy, without learning, without riches, without titles ... because, "without it you
cannot secure the peace ... indeed torment, but they cannot destroy themselves. ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the care of the soul.htm

Letter clxix. (AD 415. )
... must be worshipped in order to secure prosperity in this ... to pass, through the depths
of the riches of the ... are pronounced in human language they cannot be named ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter clxix a d 415.htm

The Great Gain of Godliness
... That beautiful phrase for a time of secure enjoyment of ... good which he had not asked,
'both riches and honour ... And we cannot assert that the New Testament order ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the great gain of godliness.htm

The Rich Fool.
... is as unsuccessful as it is unamiable: it cannot succeed ... He counts on riches and
time as if both were his own ... portion of the plan, how shall he secure the "many ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xix the rich fool.htm

Naturally we Love Ourselves Only. ...
... the soul is in a far more secure state when ... nature: as, for example, in case of riches
and honours ... not as yet masters of their passions, cannot prevent them ...
/.../chapter iii naturally we love.htm

A Caution to the Presumptuous
... unless you use the greatest discernment you cannot tell the ... as a man who is heaping
up riches to a ... and vexed us every evening, we might have become too secure. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/a caution to the presumptuous.htm

Psalm XXXVII.
... of the last day, who will not be secure by living ... the question, and hadst said "Show
me the riches of that ... better than thou, since His eye anger cannot cloud. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxvii.htm

The Rash Builder
... out to himself of what he means to secure by life ... and recognises the fact that he
cannot build, will go ... into our weakness, and His abundant riches lavished upon ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the rash builder.htm

Notes
... is presented"a people careless and secure: the Rod ... to early Hebrew thinkers: the
visible prosperity of the ... like will to like, and riches cannot consort with ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/notes.htm