The concept of riches as temporary is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the transient nature of material wealth and the importance of spiritual riches. The Scriptures consistently remind believers that earthly wealth is fleeting and should not be the primary focus of one's life.

Old Testament Insights

In the Old Testament, the temporary nature of riches is highlighted in several passages. Proverbs 23:4-5 warns against the pursuit of wealth: "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. When you glance at riches, they are gone, for they surely sprout wings and fly off into the sky like an eagle." This proverb underscores the elusive and impermanent nature of material wealth.

The book of Ecclesiastes, attributed to King Solomon, also reflects on the vanity of riches. Ecclesiastes 5:10 states, "He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile." Solomon, known for his immense wealth, acknowledges that riches do not bring lasting satisfaction or fulfillment.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently addresses the temporary nature of riches. In the Sermon on the Mount, He instructs His followers in Matthew 6:19-21: "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." Jesus emphasizes the importance of prioritizing eternal treasures over earthly wealth.

The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 further illustrates this point. The rich man, who stores up wealth for himself, is called a fool by God, who says, "This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?" (Luke 12:20). This parable serves as a stark reminder that earthly riches cannot secure one's future or eternal destiny.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the temporary nature of riches in his letters. In 1 Timothy 6:17-19, he advises the wealthy: "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. 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." Paul encourages believers to focus on good deeds and generosity, which have eternal value.

Warnings and Encouragements

Throughout Scripture, there are warnings against the dangers of relying on temporary riches. James 5:1-3 warns the wealthy of impending judgment: "Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail for the misery to come upon you. Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days."

Conversely, believers are encouraged to seek spiritual wealth. Revelation 3:17-18 admonishes the church in Laodicea: "You say, 'I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich; white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see."

In summary, the Bible consistently teaches that while riches may provide temporary comfort and security, they are ultimately fleeting and should not be the foundation of one's life. Instead, believers are called to seek eternal treasures and place their trust in God, who provides true and lasting wealth.Proverbs 27:24
For riches are not for ever: and does the crown endure to every generation?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The General Service to Saints Andrew of Constantinople, Isidore of ...
... Not desiring to become opulent in exhaustible riches, thou hast virtuously and wisely
rejected the transient riches and glory, temporary food and worldly ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xxvii the general service.htm

The Almost Christian
... earth? Is eternal life so mean a purchase, as not to deserve the temporary
renunciation of a few transitory riches? Surely it is. ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the almost christian.htm

2 Thessalonians i. 9, 10
... they shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction." How then is that temporary
which is ... For as it is His riches, that there are faithful men, so also it ...
/.../homily iii 2 thessalonians i.htm

Separating the Precious from the Vile
... Jehovah should show forth not his long suffering merely, but the plenitude of his
grace and the riches of his love. Other distinctions are merely temporary. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/separating the precious from the.htm

The Communion of Gifts.
... are blind and naked; with Him want and misery make place for riches and abundance ...
alone lies Love's power to keep in unity, and, after temporary separation, to ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxvii the communion of gifts.htm

The Prayer of the Regenerated.
... after his conversion, he may become indifferent and fall into a temporary apostasy,
so ... until the Holy Spirit presents to the spiritual eye the riches of grace ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xlii the prayer of the.htm

The Christian Business World
... He may be called away from the temporary ownership at any time. ... been faithful in
the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches" (Luke 16 ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study xi the christian business.htm

A Drama in Five Acts
... let us enter into an eternal state, and what and where are these temporary griefs ...
of wealth, and the smoke of the chimney is as solid as the comfort of riches. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/a drama in five acts.htm

The First Great Group of Parables.
... that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches,
choked the ... All inner instruction and private information was but temporary. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/liv the first great group 2.htm

Of the Creation of Man, and of the Arrangement of the World, and ...
... since fortitude is victorious over evils; but the unjust in riches, in honours ... because
it is earth, is capable of being grasped, of temporary duration, senseless ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap v of the creation of.htm

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