The concept of being "eager to be rich" is addressed in several passages throughout the Bible, often with cautionary advice. The desire for wealth, when it becomes a primary focus, can lead individuals away from spiritual truths and into various forms of temptation and sin.

1 Timothy 6:9-10
In 1 Timothy 6:9-10, the Apostle Paul warns Timothy about the dangers associated with the desire to be rich: "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" . Here, Paul emphasizes that the love of money, rather than money itself, is the root of various evils. The eagerness to accumulate wealth can lead to spiritual downfall and personal grief.

Proverbs 23:4-5
The wisdom literature of the Old Testament also addresses this issue. Proverbs 23:4-5 advises, "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle toward the sky" . This passage highlights the fleeting nature of wealth and the futility of exhausting oneself in its pursuit. The imagery of wealth taking flight underscores its instability and the importance of prioritizing wisdom over material gain.

Ecclesiastes 5:10
The book of Ecclesiastes offers a sobering reflection on the insatiable nature of wealth: "He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is futile" . The Preacher, traditionally understood to be Solomon, points out the endless cycle of desire that accompanies the love of money, suggesting that true contentment cannot be found in material abundance.

Matthew 6:19-21
In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of wealth in the Sermon on the Mount. He instructs His followers, "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 contrasts earthly wealth with heavenly treasures, urging believers to focus on eternal values rather than temporary riches.

Luke 12:15
Jesus further warns against greed in Luke 12:15: "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" . This admonition serves as a reminder that a person's worth and fulfillment are not determined by material wealth but by their relationship with God and others.

James 5:1-3
James, the brother of Jesus, also speaks to the wealthy, cautioning them about the misuse of riches: "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" . James highlights the temporal nature of wealth and the judgment that awaits those who prioritize it over righteousness.

Throughout Scripture, the eagerness to be rich is consistently portrayed as a potential spiritual pitfall. Believers are encouraged to seek contentment, prioritize their relationship with God, and use their resources to serve others, rather than pursuing wealth for its own sake.