Topical Bible: Riches: Often Lead to Forgetting God

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The Bible frequently addresses the theme 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 a significant spiritual risk. The allure of riches can lead to pride, self-reliance, and ultimately, a forgetfulness of God and His commandments.

Old Testament Warnings

The Old Testament provides numerous warnings about the dangers of wealth. In Deuteronomy 8:11-14 , Moses cautions the Israelites: "Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God by failing to keep His commandments and ordinances and statutes that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses in which to dwell, 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 who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."

This passage highlights the tendency of the human heart to become proud and self-sufficient when material prosperity is achieved. The Israelites are reminded of their dependence on God, who delivered them from bondage and provided for their needs.

The Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Old Testament also addresses the perils of wealth. Proverbs 30:8-9 offers a prayer for balance: "Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion, lest I become satisfied and deny You, saying, 'Who is the LORD?' Or lest I become poor and steal, and thus profane the name of my God."

This passage underscores the danger of both extremes—poverty and riches—and the potential for wealth to lead one to deny God. The writer seeks a life of moderation, recognizing the spiritual risks associated with both abundance and lack.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently addresses the spiritual challenges posed by wealth. In the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21), Jesus tells of a wealthy man who plans to store up his abundant crops, saying to himself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and be merry!" But God says to him, "You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?" Jesus concludes with the warning, "This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God."

This parable illustrates the folly of placing trust in material wealth rather than in God. The rich man's focus on earthly treasures leads to his spiritual downfall, as he neglects to be "rich toward God."

Apostolic Warnings

The apostolic writings continue this theme. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10 , Paul warns, "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."

Paul's admonition highlights the spiritual dangers associated with the desire for wealth. The love of money can lead individuals away from their faith, causing them to prioritize material gain over their relationship with God.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, the consistent message is clear: while wealth itself is not inherently evil, it poses significant spiritual risks. The pursuit and possession of riches can lead to a forgetfulness of God, fostering pride and self-reliance. Believers are called to maintain a heart of humility and dependence on God, recognizing that true riches are found in a faithful relationship with Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 8:13,14
And when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter xix. Submission to the Will of God; Dependence Upon Him for ...
... our corruptions, to wean us from the world, and lead us to ... We are so short-sighted
as often to wish for ... supply all your need, according to his riches in glory ...
/.../letter xix submission to the.htm

[Greek: En Toyto Nika]
... As often as we forget Good Friday, and what Good ... be saved, and become new men, and
lead new lives ... than all pomp and might, all armies, riches, governments; aye ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxxiv greek en toyto.htm

Written from Rome
... by all and which may with profit be often repeated. ... knit together in love, and unto
all riches of the ... the enemy of righteousness is seeking to lead souls into ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 45 written from rome.htm

A Libation to Jehovah
... the beloved, are freely given to men, but too often withheld from ... Do not such thoughts
lead us by contrast to Him who ... thing is true as to all our riches of mind ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a libation to jehovah.htm

"Alas for Us, if Thou Wert All, and Nought Beyond, O Earth"
... with unconverted men for all their riches, and their ... dreaming about the future and
forgetting the present ... Prophetical speculations too often lead men away from ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/alas for us if thou.htm

Philippians iii. 13, 14
... for example, Elijah through poverty, Abraham through riches. ... whichever thou wilt:
for both lead to heaven. ... also Timothy, straitened by "often infirmities." (1 ...
/.../homily xii philippians iii 13.htm

Life.
... made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches. ... to the depths of hell; and ready
to lead him and ... They were inclined, often, to what is called Pantheism"that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xvii life.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

A Work of Reform.
... in the wilderness; He desired to lead them directly to ... ought not to be presented,
since often its only ... esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /26 a work of reform.htm

A Work of Reform
... in the wilderness; He desired to lead them directly to ... ought not to be presented,
since often its only ... esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 26 a work of.htm