Topical Bible: Riches: Often Lead to Pride

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Riches, in the biblical context, are frequently associated with material wealth and abundance. While wealth itself is not inherently evil, the Scriptures often warn of the spiritual dangers that accompany it, particularly the tendency for riches to lead to pride. This theme is recurrent throughout the Bible, highlighting the potential for wealth to foster a sense of self-sufficiency and arrogance, drawing individuals away from reliance on God.

Old Testament Insights

The Old Testament provides numerous examples and teachings on the perils of wealth-induced pride. In Deuteronomy 8:11-14 , Moses warns the Israelites: "Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God by failing to keep His commandments and ordinances and statutes... Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down... then your heart will become proud, and you will forget the LORD your God." Here, the danger is clear: prosperity can lead to forgetfulness of God and a proud heart.

The book of Proverbs also addresses this issue, offering wisdom on the subject. Proverbs 28:11 states, "A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him." This proverb suggests that wealth can create a false sense of wisdom and self-reliance, blinding the rich to their own limitations and need for God.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently addresses the spiritual risks associated with wealth. In the parable of the rich fool, found in Luke 12:16-21 , Jesus tells of a wealthy man who hoards his abundance, only to lose his life that very night. The parable concludes with a warning: "This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God." The rich fool's pride and self-reliance ultimately lead to his downfall, illustrating the futility of placing trust in material wealth.

The apostle Paul also cautions against the dangers of riches. 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 that wealth can lead to conceit and misplaced trust, urging believers to place their hope in God rather than in uncertain riches.

Historical and Theological Context

Throughout biblical history, the accumulation of wealth often led to spiritual decline and pride among God’s people. The kings of Israel and Judah, such as Solomon, serve as prime examples. Solomon's wealth and subsequent pride led him to idolatry, as recorded in 1 Kings 11:1-4 . Despite his wisdom, Solomon's heart turned away from God, illustrating the corrupting influence of riches.

Theologically, the Bible presents wealth as a test of character and faithfulness. The potential for pride arises when individuals attribute their success to their own efforts rather than recognizing God's providence. This pride can manifest in a lack of humility, a diminished sense of dependence on God, and a failure to use wealth for the benefit of others and the glory of God.

Practical Implications for Believers

For believers, the biblical warnings about riches and pride serve as a call to humility and stewardship. Wealth should be viewed as a gift from God, to be used in service to Him and others. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles encourage believers to cultivate a spirit of generosity and to remain vigilant against the pride that can accompany material abundance. By doing so, they can guard their hearts against the spiritual pitfalls that riches often bring.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 28:5
By your great wisdom and by your traffic have you increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hosea 12:8
And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labors they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On Riches
... This is not uncommon: He often sends pain, and sickness ... seek happiness, as their
various tastes lead, in poetry ... it only on this account, that riches furnish him ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 108 on riches.htm

Pride of Prosperity
... Often these alliances were sealed by marriages with heathen ... and the power of his
example would lead his wives ... brought him renown, honor, and the riches of this ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 3 pride of prosperity.htm

Whether the Mode and Order of the Temptation were Becoming?
... begins with lighter sins, so as gradually to lead him to ... Reply to Objection 2: It
often happens that a man ... 3: It is a sin to desire worldly riches and honors ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the mode and order.htm

The Fruitless vine
... most to be cursed and despised is the pride of a ... by his holy living, for he that
hath riches often liveth in ... are to be found in the men that lead the vanguard ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the fruitless vine.htm

The Danger of Riches
... Riches, either desired or possessed, naturally lead to some or ... It was often as an
arrow from the hand of a ... O ye gainers, lovers, possessors of riches, one more ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 87 the danger of.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... fullness, and so poverty of spirit precedes riches and grace ... apart from a sense of
sin, often prove blessings ... would glut their martial spirit, and lead them to ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 2.htm

Solomon
... for this quiet country life which we lead here, free ... columns of our newspapers are
so often filled with ... prayer: 'Give me neither poverty nor riches, but feed ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon xi solomon.htm

Christian Morals. Part I.
... Self-credulity, pride, and levity lead unto self ... observing the unnatural current
of riches, power, and ... imperfection and demerit of persons often advanced unto ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/christian morals part i.htm

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

Salvation by Faith
... sin, and the consequences of sin, both often expressed in the ... 3. But does not preaching
this faith lead men into ... that he might show the exceeding riches of his ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 1 salvation by faith.htm