Topical Bible: Riches: Often Lead to Denying God

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The Bible frequently addresses the topic of riches and their potential to lead individuals away from a faithful relationship with God. Throughout Scripture, wealth is portrayed as a double-edged sword, capable of providing comfort and security, yet also posing significant spiritual dangers. The allure of riches can lead to pride, self-reliance, and ultimately, a denial of God.

One of the most direct warnings about the spiritual peril of wealth is found in the words of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus states, "Truly I tell you, it is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:23-24). This vivid imagery underscores the spiritual challenge that wealth can present, suggesting that the rich may find it difficult to humble themselves and depend on God.

The Old Testament also provides insight into the dangers of riches. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses warns the Israelites about the potential for wealth to lead them away from God. He cautions, "Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God" (Deuteronomy 8:12-14). Here, the accumulation of wealth is linked to pride and forgetfulness of God's providence and commandments.

The wisdom literature of the Bible also addresses the theme of riches and their spiritual implications. Proverbs 30:8-9 offers a prayer for balance, "Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but feed me with the bread that is my portion. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown You and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and thus profane the name of my God" . This passage highlights the risk of disowning God when one becomes self-sufficient through wealth.

The New Testament epistles continue this theme, with the Apostle Paul advising Timothy, "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). Paul emphasizes that it is not wealth itself, but the love and pursuit of it, that can lead believers away from their faith.

James, the brother of Jesus, also speaks to the transient nature of wealth and its potential to lead to spiritual downfall. He writes, "But the rich should take pride in their humiliation, since they will pass away like a wildflower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business" (James 1:10-11). This passage serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of earthly riches and the importance of focusing on eternal values.

In summary, the Bible consistently warns of the spiritual dangers associated with riches. While wealth itself is not inherently evil, it can lead to a denial of God when it fosters pride, self-reliance, and a forgetfulness of divine dependence. Believers are encouraged to maintain a humble heart, recognizing God as the ultimate provider and sustainer.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 30:8,9
Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On Riches
... This is not uncommon: He often sends pain, and sickness ... to seek happiness, as their
various tastes lead, in poetry ... 7. Such a tendency have riches to beget and ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 108 on riches.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
... "And that He might make known the riches of His ... in common with God's own children,
and very often to a ... Does the (temporal) goodness of God lead them to repent? ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter five the sovereignty of.htm

The Infallibility of God's Purpose
... admire, and say, "O the depth of the riches both of ... in dark hours you and I may slip,
and often fall, yet ... day, to strike your mind with awe, to lead you humbly ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/the infallibility of gods purpose.htm

God's Love for a Sinning World
... of the nature of this love never lead to repentance ... Often have I heard parents say,
I love my children ... But of these riches none can partake till they shall each ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/i gods love for a.htm

2 Timothy iii. 7-Jan
... Often they ascend from below. ... Many devils indeed now possess it, but then they would
lead thee to ... There is no abundance of riches that can fill the belly of ...
/.../homily vii 2 timothy iii.htm

Carnal or Spiritual?
... watch with Me." Dear reader, what did it all lead to? ... There are some who have said
often, "O God, why can'tI ... what my Father has given me, all the riches of His ...
/.../murray/the deeper christian life/iii carnal or spiritual.htm

Titus ii. 14-Nov
... deliver us from worldly things, and to lead us to ... Concerning wealth also Christ often
commanded that we should ... nowhere said that the care of riches is honorable ...
/.../homily v titus ii 14-nov.htm

Conclusion.
... What do you mean, often as you renew them at the ... If they lead you not to hold your
property at the ... Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/conclusion.htm

Consecration to God --Illustrated by Abraham's Circumcision
... this morning, as God may help me, first lead you to ... filleth all things, and hath
all power and all riches. ... We might often have had addressed to us the rebuke ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/consecration to godillustrated by abrahams.htm

Temporal Advantages.
... And it will often happen, that from coveting them before ... of this world and the
deceitfulness of riches choke the ... to love the world, so again do they lead us to ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon v temporal advantages.htm