Topical Bible: Riches: Profit not in the Day of Wrath

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The concept of riches and their ultimate futility in the face of divine judgment is a recurring theme in the Bible. This theme underscores the transient nature of material wealth and the eternal significance of spiritual riches. The Berean Standard Bible provides several passages that highlight this truth, emphasizing the limitations of earthly wealth in the context of God's righteous judgment.

Biblical References

One of the most direct references to the ineffectiveness of riches during divine judgment is found in Proverbs 11:4: "Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death." This verse clearly contrasts the temporal value of material wealth with the enduring value of righteousness. It suggests that while riches may offer some advantages in this life, they hold no power to save or protect in the face of God's wrath.

Similarly, Ezekiel 7:19 speaks to the futility of wealth in times of divine retribution: "They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be treated as a thing unclean. Their silver and gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD. They will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it, for it has caused them to stumble into sin." This passage illustrates the ultimate worthlessness of riches when God's judgment is executed, as well as the potential for wealth to lead individuals away from righteousness.

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of wealth and its limitations in the parable of the rich fool, found in Luke 12:16-21. The parable concludes with a stark warning: "But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:20-21). Here, Jesus emphasizes the folly of prioritizing earthly wealth over spiritual richness, which alone holds eternal value.

Theological Implications

The biblical teaching that riches do not profit in the day of wrath serves as a sobering reminder of the limitations of material wealth. It calls believers to prioritize their relationship with God and to seek righteousness above all else. The Scriptures consistently warn against the dangers of placing trust in wealth, as seen in 1 Timothy 6:9-10: "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."

The Bible encourages believers to use their resources wisely and to be generous, as seen in 1 Timothy 6:17-19: "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 all things for our enjoyment. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."

Practical Application

The biblical perspective on riches and the day of wrath encourages believers to evaluate their priorities and to invest in what is eternally significant. It challenges individuals to examine their hearts and to ensure that their trust is placed in God rather than in material possessions. By focusing on righteousness and cultivating a generous spirit, believers can align themselves with God's purposes and prepare for the eternal life to come.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 11:4
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivers from death.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Appendix.
... transgressors shall destroy them. Riches profit not in the day of wrath, but
righteousness delivereth from death. When a righteous man ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the general menaion/appendix.htm

Profit and Loss
... to inevitable death, in spite of all your riches; and if ... mind, that though you think
you could not do so ... by doing something for their worldly profit, which, in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/profit and loss.htm

On Helping the Poor.
... For it says, "Riches will not profit in the day of wrath." For such a one has not
believed in God, but in his own gold; esteeming that his God, and trusting ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on helping the poor.htm

On Eutropius, the Eunuch, Patrician and Consul.
... ye at least who plume yourselves on your riches profit by his ... did not all tremble
and fear before him ... beggar wasting away with hunger, having every day a vision ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily i on eutropius the.htm

Psalm XLIX.
... of his soul, his life will end, his labour will not end ... with purple and fine linen,
and fared sumptuously every day," [1635] who ... What did those riches profit him ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlix.htm

"There is Therefore Now no Condemnation to them which are in ...
... And so they offer unto God some of their riches for them ... that his nature may be weak,
yet it is not wicked; it ... and dressed till it please God, and profit others ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon i there is therefore.htm

The Second Epistle.
... strength is, so will his anger be; and as his riches are, so ... thine heart upon goods
unjustly gotten, for they shall not profit thee in the day of veiling ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/the second epistle 2.htm

Article xxiv (xii): of the Mass.
... understood profits men, or that ceremonies profit, not because they ... operato [even
when there is not a good ... every kind of life [health riches, prosperity, and ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 29 article xxiv xii .htm

Meditations of the Misery of a Man not Reconciled to God in Christ ...
... If the loss of earthly riches vex thee so much, how should ... What profit have I now
of all my pride, fine house ... so like rams (Psalm 144:4), and will not fall upon ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the misery of.htm

The Wisdom of God's Counsels
... faith and zeal, seeking no honour, no profit, no pleasure ... By riches I mean, not
thousands of pounds, but any ... up treasures upon earth!" Is it not treasuring up ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 68 the wisdom of.htm