The term "amassed" refers to the gathering or collecting of resources, wealth, or people in large quantities. In the biblical context, amassing can have both positive and negative connotations, depending on the motives and outcomes associated with the accumulation.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of amassing wealth or resources is often linked to God's blessings or human greed. For instance, King Solomon is a prominent figure who amassed great wealth and wisdom. In 1 Kings 10:23-25 , it is recorded: "King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift—articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules."

However, the amassing of wealth is also cautioned against when it leads to pride or reliance on material possessions rather than God. In Deuteronomy 17:16-17 , the kings of Israel are warned: "He must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said to you, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’ He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of amassing wealth in His teachings. In the Sermon on the Mount, He warns against storing up treasures on earth. Matthew 6:19-21 states: "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."

The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 further illustrates the folly of amassing wealth without being "rich toward God." The rich man plans to store his surplus grain and goods, saying to himself, "You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry." But God says to him, "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?"

Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently emphasizes that while amassing material wealth is not inherently wrong, it becomes problematic when it leads to idolatry, pride, or neglect of spiritual responsibilities. Believers are encouraged to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33) and to be generous and willing to share (1 Timothy 6:18).

The amassing of spiritual wealth, such as wisdom, faith, and good deeds, is encouraged. James 1:5 assures believers that if anyone lacks wisdom, they should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault. Similarly, believers are urged to "store up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:20), focusing on eternal rather than temporal gains.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on amassing is multifaceted, recognizing the potential for both blessing and temptation. It calls for a heart aligned with God's purposes, prioritizing spiritual wealth over material accumulation.(imp. & p. p.) of Amass.622. asaph -- to gather, remove
... root Definition to gather, remove NASB Word Usage again (1), all together (1), amassed
(1), assemble (9), assembled (12), assembling (1), attached (1), bring (1 ...
/hebrew/622.htm - 6k

How, Even if a Large Sum of Money is Amassed by the Labour of Each ...
... How, even if a large sum of money is amassed by the labour of each, still no one
may venture to exceed the moderate limit of what is appointed as adequate. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xiv how even if.htm

The Hymns of Isaac Watts
... About his scholarship we observe that, vast as it was, he amassed it under
the difficulties which hampered all Dissenters till 1870. ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/the hymns of isaac watts.htm

Moreover, it is a Good Thing to Use the Tongue Sparingly...
... so the man who lusteth after money never finds satisfaction for his passion, nor
good-will from his neighbours, even though he may have amassed the greatest ...
/.../a metaphrase of the book of ecclesiastes/chapter v moreover it is.htm

The Inroads of Mahometanism
... The false prophet Mahomet was born AD569, of the chief family in the Arabian tribe
of the Koreish; but it was not till after he had amassed a large fortune ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter viii the inroads of.htm

Geological Reform.
... Hutton was in advance of the geological speculation of his time, because, in the
first place, he had amassed a vast store of knowledge of the facts of geology ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/xi geological reform.htm

Of Flattery.
... How many in former ages have not only amassed together all sublunary excellencies,
but have even ransacked heaven to supply their Flattery, Deified their ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section viii of flattery.htm

On the First Floor of an Ancient Mansion, in a Street which Slopes ...
... He had amassed a considerable fortune; and away out towards Frascati he had a superb
Villa, furnished with every modern luxury and convenience, (not rented in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/xx on the first floor.htm

The Finest Wisdom.
... men's pursuits. He was a great experimenter. Everything was put to a personal
test. He amassed wealth beyond all others. He delved ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/the finest wisdom.htm

Gainas Meets his Doom
... Amid universal detestation, unaided by the vast treasures he had amassed for such
brief enjoyment, he expiated his manifold malfeasance under the hands of the ...
/.../chapter xxxiv gainas meets his.htm

The Prophecy of the Perilous Times.
... Christians? "Covetous""money-lovers. What fortunes are now amassed by those
who claim to be not their own but bought with a price! Our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/4 the prophecy of the.htm

Amassed (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Amass. Multi-Version Concordance Amassed
(4 Occurrences). ... Ye have amassed treasure for the last days. (WBS). ...
/a/amassed.htm - 7k

Riches (118 Occurrences)
... 27:24 Jeremiah 20:5), nekhacim and rekhush (Genesis 36:7 Daniel 11:13, 14 the King
James Version) look at riches as things accumulated, collected, amassed. ...
/r/riches.htm - 41k

Amassai (1 Occurrence)

/a/amassai.htm - 6k

Amasses (3 Occurrences)

/a/amasses.htm - 7k

Law (670 Occurrences)
... In this way a body of rules was amassed by interpretative adaptation which
the authors of the Twelve Tables would never have recognized. ...
/l/law.htm - 101k

Roman (26 Occurrences)
... In this way a body of rules was amassed by interpretative adaptation which
the authors of the Twelve Tables would never have recognized. ...
/r/roman.htm - 101k

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