Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5399 luxury

Opulence or grandeur of lifestyle which may be associated with wealth or status, especially royalty. Scripture warns of the dangers of unnecessary displays of luxury but encourages the right kind of splendour to reflect the glory and honour due to God.

Examples of luxurious lifestyles

The opulence of Solomon's court

1 Kings 10:21 pp 2 Chronicles 9:20 See also 1 Kings 4:22-24 Solomon's daily provisions; 1 Kings 7:1 Solomon's palace

Solomon's throne:

1 Kings 10:18-20 pp 2 Chronicles 9:17-19

Luxury enjoyed by other kings

Luke 7:25 pp Matthew 11:8 See also 1 Samuel 8:11-17 Samuel warns Israel about what a king will demand of them; 2 Samuel 7:2 David; 2 Chronicles 32:27-29 Hezekiah; Esther 1:4-7 Xerxes; Daniel 4:30 Nebuchadnezzar

Luxury enjoyed by the wealthy

Luke 16:19 The rich man in Jesus Christ's parable. See also Isaiah 3:18-23 upper-class women of Zion; Amos 6:4-6 the wealthy of Israel

Luxury accompanying high status

Genesis 41:41-43

Mordecai:

Esther 6:7-8; Esther 8:15 Daniel 5:29 Daniel

Luxury enjoyed by a bride

Psalm 45:13-15 See also Isaiah 61:10; Jeremiah 2:32; Revelation 21:2

Luxury and poverty

Luxury at the expense of the poor

James 5:4-5 See also Jeremiah 22:13-14 King Jehoiakim; Ezekiel 34:3 the leaders of Israel

Luxury brings responsibility to the poor

1 Timothy 6:18 See also Jeremiah 22:15-16; Luke 16:20-21; Luke 19:8; Acts 4:34-35

The perils of luxury

Luxury brings a false sense of security

Luke 12:19 See also Job 31:24-25; Proverbs 11:28; 1 Timothy 6:17

Luxury distracts from God

Deuteronomy 32:15 See also Deuteronomy 8:13-14; Matthew 13:22 pp Mark 4:19 pp Luke 8:14; Matthew 19:21-24 pp Mark 10:21-23 pp Luke 18:21-24; 1 Timothy 6:10

Earthly luxury does not last

Matthew 6:19 See also Proverbs 23:5; Proverbs 27:24; Isaiah 13:22 The luxurious lifestyle of the wicked will be swept away by God's judgment; James 5:1-3; Revelation 18:7-9

The right attitude to luxury

Philippians 4:11-12 See also 1 Samuel 2:7; Job 1:21

The true source of beauty

1 Peter 3:3-4 See also 1 Timothy 2:9-10

Luxury reflecting God's glory

Exodus 25:3-9 pp Exodus 35:5-9 materials for the tabernacle; Exodus 28:4-5 the priestly garments; 1 Kings 6:14-35 pp 2 Chronicles 3:4-14 the splendour of Solomon's temple; Mark 13:1 pp Luke 21:5 the magnificence of Herod's temple; Revelation 21:15-21 the glory of the new Jerusalem

See also

4333  gold
5118  Solomon
5145  clothing
5412  money
5446  poverty
5856  extravagance
7467  temple, Solomon's
8622  worship
8778  materialism
8808  riches
8821  self-indulgence