In the biblical narrative, riches are often portrayed as a double-edged sword, capable of both blessing and curse. For the wicked, the accumulation and retention of wealth frequently lead to their own detriment. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, highlighting the spiritual and moral dangers associated with the love of money and the pursuit of material gain.

Ecclesiastes 5:13-14 provides a poignant observation on this matter: "There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost in a bad venture, so that when he has a son there is nothing to pass on." Here, the Preacher notes the futility and potential harm of hoarding wealth. The riches that are kept can lead to personal harm, either through loss or through the inability to provide for future generations.

Proverbs 11:4 further underscores the limitations of wealth: "Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death." This proverb contrasts the temporal nature of riches with the enduring value of righteousness. The wicked, who place their trust in wealth, find it ultimately worthless when faced with divine judgment.

The New Testament echoes these sentiments. In James 5:1-3, the apostle James issues a stern warning to the wealthy: "Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. 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." James vividly describes the self-destructive nature of hoarding wealth, emphasizing that such riches will serve as evidence against the wicked in the final judgment.

The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 illustrates the folly of placing trust in material abundance. Jesus tells of a man who, after a bountiful harvest, decides to build larger barns to store his surplus. Yet, God says to him, "You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?" (Luke 12:20). The rich man's focus on earthly wealth blinds him to the reality of his mortality and the importance of being "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21).

1 Timothy 6:9-10 warns of the spiritual peril associated with the desire for wealth: "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 apostle Paul highlights the internal and external harm that the pursuit of riches can inflict on the wicked, leading them away from faith and into spiritual ruin.

Throughout Scripture, the message is clear: while wealth itself is not inherently evil, the wicked's attachment to and misuse of riches can lead to their own harm. The Bible consistently calls for a heart aligned with God's righteousness, warning against the deceitfulness of riches and the spiritual dangers of hoarding wealth.Ecclesiastes 5:13
There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

An Exhortation to the People of God not to be Discouraged in their ...
... Their Way, by the Scoffs and Contempt of Wicked Men. ... commemoration thereof; do not
let the world keep you from ... do not slight this his grace, the riches, the love ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/an exhortation to the people.htm

Tenth Commandment
... covetous eye was what led Achan up to the wicked deed that ... Matthew tells us that
the deceitfulness of riches chokes the Word of ... "If you don't keep still," the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/tenth commandment.htm

The Duty of the People of God to Excite Others to Seek this Rest.
... drawn to Christ; and what are the riches and privileges ... thus to go to every ignorant
and wicked neighbor, what ... We are so desirous to keep in credit and favor ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter ix the duty of.htm

The Danger of Riches
... If therefore we keep more of them in our ... that account are liable to be pronounced
wicked, because unprofitable ... all of which the desire of riches naturally tends ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 87 the danger of.htm

Bunyan's Dying Sayings.
... of DEATH, he shall the more easily keep them in ... is mingled with some evil: honours
perplex, riches disquiet, and ... when the godly may ask the wicked, what profit ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/miscellaneous pieces/bunyans dying sayings.htm

Desolation of the Earth.
... They have sold their souls for earthly riches and enjoyments ... that he should not return
from his wicked way, by ... God and to persecute those who would keep it holy ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /41 desolation of the earth.htm

Desolation of the Earth
... They have sold their souls for earthly riches and enjoyments ... that he should not return
from his wicked way, by ... God and to persecute those who would keep it holy ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 41 desolation of the.htm

There is a Blessedness in Reversion
... The things of the world will no more keep out trouble of spirit, than a paper sconce
will keep out a bullet. ... Riches to the wicked are fuel for pride: Thy ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/2 there is a blessedness.htm

A Specimen of a Catechetical Address; and First, the Case of a ...
... they fail to find such in consequence of their wicked lusts. ... Do we not see how many
have lost their riches on a ... 1433] How then can that mind keep the soundness ...
/.../augustine/on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 16 a specimen of a.htm

Wherefore, that Thou May'st be Rightly Disposed Both for Thy Soul ...
... of poor or sinful men: to honour rich men for their riches: unsuitable joy in ... Another
is, care to keep thy five wits, so that all the wicked stirrings of ...
/.../chapter vi wherefore that thou.htm

What does the Bible say about being poor? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about greed? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about managing your finances? | GotQuestions.org

Riches: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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