Topical Bible: Riches: Life Consists not in Abundance of

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The concept that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing the spiritual over the material. This principle is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and is echoed throughout Scripture, warning believers against the dangers of materialism and encouraging a focus on eternal values.

Biblical Teachings

1. Jesus' Parable of the Rich Fool: In Luke 12:15, Jesus explicitly warns, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." This statement precedes the parable of the rich fool, who, after a bountiful harvest, decides to build larger barns to store his goods, saying to himself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and be merry!" (Luke 12:19). However, God calls him a fool, for his life is demanded of him that very night, illustrating the futility of hoarding earthly wealth without being "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21).

2. The Sermon on the Mount: 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 underscores the transient nature of material wealth and the importance of investing in spiritual riches.

3. The Rich Young Ruler: In Mark 10:17-22, a rich young man approaches Jesus, seeking eternal life. Jesus tells him to sell all he has and give to the poor, promising him treasure in heaven. The young man leaves sorrowful, unable to part with his wealth. This encounter highlights the difficulty for those attached to riches to enter the kingdom of God, as Jesus remarks, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:23).

4. Paul's Writings: The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in 1 Timothy 6:6-10, where he writes, "Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 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" . Paul emphasizes contentment and warns against the pursuit of wealth, which can lead to spiritual peril.

Old Testament Insights

1. Proverbs and Ecclesiastes: The wisdom literature of the Old Testament also addresses the limitations of wealth. Proverbs 11:28 states, "He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf" . Similarly, Ecclesiastes 5:10 observes, "He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile" . These verses reflect the understanding that true fulfillment cannot be found in material abundance.

2. The Example of Job: Job's account illustrates the transient nature of wealth and the importance of faithfulness to God. Despite losing his vast possessions, Job remains steadfast in his faith, declaring, "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21).

Practical Implications for Believers

The biblical teaching that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions calls believers to evaluate their priorities and align their lives with God's values. It encourages a lifestyle of generosity, contentment, and trust in God's provision. By focusing on spiritual wealth and eternal treasures, Christians are reminded to live with an eternal perspective, valuing their relationship with God above all else.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 12:15
And he said to them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Rich Fool
... may be ours abundantly, whatever our portion of earth's riches. ... the consequence of
a lie"that life does consist ... It consists in knowing 'Thee the only true God ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the rich fool.htm

Whether the Beatitudes are Suitably Enumerated?
... may refer either to the contempt of riches, or to ... Active life consists chiefly in
man's relations with his neighbor ... to the active or to the contemplative life. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the beatitudes are suitably.htm

On the Collections, V.
... nor their thriftiness to be commended, if their riches are of ... for by its presence
it gives life to that ... in faith, so the strength of faith consists in works. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon x on the collections.htm

Whether Religious Perfection is Diminished by Possessing Something ...
... 1;[3830] Q[185], A[6], ad 1), perfection consists, essentially, not ... to the bodily
actions of the active life should have an abundance of riches in common ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether religious perfection is diminished.htm

Seal and Earnest
... to the other emblem, that 'earnest' which consists in like ... we go yonder and count
the endless riches to which ... the highest moments of the Christian life on earth ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/seal and earnest.htm

The Three Parables of Warning: to the Individual, to the Nation ...
... super-abundance, forms no part of his life, and may ... It consists of two parts, of
which the first ... into the future, and saw there progressive increase and riches. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvi the three parables.htm

"If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our ...
... of grace, that it rather jointly proclaims the riches of grace ... that is, his promise
of giving life to man ... all our being and well being eternally consists in his ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xviii if we confess.htm

"But the End of all Things is at Hand, be Ye Therefore Sober and ...
... This sobriety makes him want, in abundance, and abound ... not that he serves his riches,
yet Christ ... Your life consists not in what you enjoy, your inheritance is ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xx but the end.htm

Thou Shalt have no Other Gods Before Me.
... supreme god; the others, who were bent upon riches, happiness, or pleasure, and
a life of ease ... Thus it is with all idolatry; for it consists not merely in ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt have no other.htm

Translator's Introduction.
... is the ruin of the whole spiritual life (xi.7 ... mental prayer, but whatever it is called
it consists in a ... the solidity of heavenly hopes; desire of riches or of ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/translators introduction.htm