Topical Bible: Riches: The Wicked: Must Leave, to Others

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In the biblical narrative, the concept of riches and wealth is often explored in the context of righteousness and wickedness. The Scriptures provide numerous insights into the fate of the wealth accumulated by the wicked, emphasizing the transient nature of such riches and the ultimate justice of God in redistributing wealth according to His divine purposes.

Biblical References:

1. Job 27:16-17 : "Though he heaps up silver like dust and piles up a wardrobe like clay, what he lays up, the righteous will wear, and his silver will be divided by the innocent." This passage from the Book of Job highlights the futility of the wicked amassing wealth. Despite their efforts to accumulate riches, it is ultimately the righteous who will benefit from their labor. The imagery of silver and clothing underscores the material wealth that the wicked strive to gather, only for it to be inherited by those who are just and innocent.

2. Ecclesiastes 2:26 : "To the man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner, He gives the task of gathering and collecting only to hand it over to one who pleases God." This verse from Ecclesiastes further illustrates the divine redistribution of wealth. The sinner, despite his toil, finds his efforts ultimately serve God's purposes, as his accumulated wealth is transferred to those who find favor with the Lord. This reflects the biblical theme that true prosperity is not found in material wealth but in pleasing God.

3. Proverbs 13:22 : "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous." The Book of Proverbs contrasts the legacy of the righteous with that of the wicked. While a good man ensures a lasting inheritance for his descendants, the wealth of the sinner is temporary and destined to be given to the righteous. This proverb underscores the enduring value of righteousness over the fleeting nature of ill-gotten wealth.

4. Psalm 49:10 : "For he sees that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others." The psalmist reflects on the inevitability of death for both the wise and the foolish, emphasizing that wealth cannot prevent mortality. The wicked, despite their riches, must leave their wealth behind, often to those they did not intend to benefit. This serves as a reminder of the limitations of earthly wealth and the ultimate sovereignty of God over all possessions.

Theological Implications:

The biblical teaching on the fate of the wicked's riches serves as a moral and spiritual lesson. It warns against the pursuit of wealth through unrighteous means and highlights the temporary nature of material possessions. The Scriptures consistently affirm that God, in His justice, will ensure that wealth serves His purposes, often resulting in the transfer of riches from the wicked to the righteous. This divine principle encourages believers to seek righteousness and trust in God's provision, rather than relying on the uncertain riches of this world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 49:10
For he sees that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Thoughts Upon Worldly Riches. Sect. I.
... the World, should notwithstanding be generally as wicked, debauched and ... First, that
the very having of Riches makes it ... he both well may and must be understood ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon worldly riches sect.htm

Philippians i. 11-Aug
... But then some wicked and senseless man, taking hold of ... a dog, with ten thousand
chains"namely, his riches? ... The thought that he must leave his goods to others ...
/.../homily ii philippians i 11-aug.htm

The Lapse of Time.
... the ignorant and foolish, and leave their riches for other ... surely were not lightly
spoken, "The wicked," He says ... will hear, or not, and then must leave our words ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon i the lapse of.htm

David's Dying Song
... renounced the pomps and vanities of this wicked world," as ... would be, to have them
sure, for riches make to ... He never changes"you must know that, for the Bible ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/davids dying song.htm

The Many-Sided Contrast of Wisdom and Folly
... Such hankering for riches, no matter how obtained, or such ... will be better than the
spoil of the wicked. ... we would escape from that danger, we must be righteous ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the many-sided contrast of wisdom.htm

How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own ...
... assistance to the wicked for that they are wicked. ... Let them consider what injustice
inflicted must deserve, if ... with money; and he that loveth riches shall not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xx how to be.htm

The Prayer of Jabez
... But here, as of riches, it is indisputable that the greatest ... to it they are, and
think it wicked to doubt ... to the manner of the blessing, but must leave it with ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the prayer of jabez.htm

The Call of Abraham
... We must keep back none, but follow the Lord wholly ... of this life, or the deceitfulness
of riches chokes the ... all of a sudden, Misfortune, like a wicked boy, has ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the call of abraham.htm

A Wise Desire
... thee to give me neither poverty nor riches; but here ... Again, we must leave to God
the choice of our employment. ... the preacher"and I have been wicked enough to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/a wise desire.htm

The Seventh Season,
... meekness and forgiveness will not operate; that must be a ... on this cutting rebuke:
"O thou wicked and slothful ... as those who have experienced the riches of mercy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/vii the seventh season.htm