Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8700 Threats to the life of faith » 8701 affluence
Literally, “flowing” with prosperity. Wealth is not condemned in Scripture but is seen as a good gift of God. However, affluence has its dangers.
Godly affluence
Exodus 3:8 See also Deuteronomy 28:1-6,11; Psalm 1:3; Psalm 112:3; Proverbs 8:18-21; Proverbs 22:4; Isaiah 60:5; Isaiah 61:6; Isaiah 66:12; Micah 4:4
Examples of affluence
Genesis 2:8-12 Eden; Genesis 13:2 Abraham; Genesis 26:12-13 Isaac; Genesis 33:11 Jacob; Job 42:10-12 Job
Solomon:
1 Kings 3:13; Kings 10:23-29 2 Chronicles 32:27-29 Hezekiah; Matthew 27:57 Joseph of Arimathea
The dangers of affluence
Pride
Deuteronomy 8:17-18; 1 Timothy 6:17 See also Psalm 10:4-6; Psalm 73:3-6
Reliance upon riches
Proverbs 11:28; 1 Timothy 6:17 See also Psalm 62:10; Proverbs 23:5; Ecclesiastes 10:19; Mark 10:24 fn; Luke 12:16-21
Over-attachment to riches
Matthew 19:22 pp Mark 10:22 pp Luke 18:23
Greed for more riches
Ecclesiastes 5:10
Temptation
1 Timothy 6:9-10
Cares and anxieties
Matthew 13:22 pp Mark 4:19 pp Luke 8:14
Spiritual complacency
Revelation 3:17
Contempt for God
See also Proverbs 30:8-9
Contempt for the poor or unfortunate
Job 12:5; Proverbs 22:16; Amos 2:6-8; Amos 4:1; Amos 5:11; Luke 16:24-31; James 5:1-6
Affluence is temporary
It is for this life only
1 Timothy 6:7 See also Job 1:21; Psalm 37:35-36; Psalm 49:10-12,16-20; Ecclesiastes 5:15
It is often lost
Job 1:13-15; Ecclesiastes 5:13-14
Spiritual affluence
The riches of God
Philippians 4:19 See also Psalm 36:7-9; 2 Corinthians 9:9; Ephesians 3:8
Spiritual wealth
Ephesians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:4; Revelation 2:9
The shared wealth of the church
Mark 10:29-30; Acts 4:34-35; Philippians 4:18
The wealth of heaven
Matthew 6:20; Luke 12:33; Revelation 7:16-17
See also
1050 God, goodness of 5399 luxury 5413 money, attitudes 5446 poverty 5810 complacency 5858 fat 6248 temptation 8261 generosity, God's 8778 materialism 8808 riches 8848 worldliness