Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5503 rich, the

5503 rich, the

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5503 rich, the

It is hard but not impossible for rich people to enter God's kingdom. They must put their hope in God, not in their riches. Rich people who live selfishly, abuse their position and fail to repent and live for Jesus Christ, are in peril.

Parables concerning rich people

2 Samuel 12:1-10; Matthew 13:44-46; Matthew 18:23; Matthew 22:2 pp Luke 14:16; Matthew 25:14 pp Luke 19:12; Luke 12:16; Luke 15:11-13; Luke 16:1; Luke 18:10

Rich people have received blessing

1 Timothy 6:17 See also Psalm 1:3; Psalm 112:1-3

They have friends

Proverbs 14:20; Proverbs 19:4

They have power

Proverbs 22:7

They have security

Proverbs 10:15; Proverbs 18:11

Warnings to rich people

They should recognise that God is the giver of riches

Deuteronomy 8:17-18 See also Deuteronomy 32:13-15; Hosea 2:8

They should not be arrogant or complacent on account of their riches

Jeremiah 9:23-24 See also Psalm 49:5-6; Jeremiah 49:4; Hosea 12:8; 1 Timothy 6:17; Revelation 3:17

They should not trust in their riches

Proverbs 11:28 See also Psalm 49:6; Psalm 52:7; Psalm 62:10; Jeremiah 48:7

They face disaster if they lack wisdom

Psalm 49:20 See also Proverbs 28:11; Jeremiah 9:23-24

They must live moral lives

Proverbs 28:6 See also Proverbs 22:16; Jeremiah 5:27-28; Jeremiah 17:11; Micah 6:12

Wealth can bring anxiety

Ecclesiastes 5:12 See also Matthew 6:25-34 pp Luke 12:22-31

Riches are of fleeting value

Luke 12:16-21 See also Psalm 49:5-12; Proverbs 27:24; Ecclesiastes 5:15; Isaiah 10:3; Matthew 6:19; 1 Timothy 6:7; Job 1:21; James 1:10-11

Ultimate security is found in God alone

Exodus 15:2; 2 Samuel 22:33; 1 Chronicles 16:11; Psalm 28:7; Psalm 29:11; Psalm 46:1; Psalm 52:6-7; Isaiah 12:2; Habakkuk 3:19

It is hard for rich people to enter God's kingdom

Matthew 19:23-26 pp Mark 10:23-27 pp Luke 18:24-27 See also Matthew 13:22 pp Mark 4:18-19 pp Luke 8:14; Matthew 19:16-22 pp Mark 10:17-22 pp Luke 18:18-23

Rich people will be judged for their behaviour

Zechariah 11:5-6; Luke 1:53

If they exploit, oppress or kill the poor

James 5:1-4 See also Proverbs 14:31; Proverbs 22:16; Proverbs 28:3; Ezekiel 18:12-13; Ezekiel 22:29-31; James 2:6; James 5:6

If they hoard wealth and live selfishly

If they slander the name of Jesus Christ

James 2:7

Commands to rich people

To seek God's kingdom as first priority

Matthew 6:19-21,31-33 pp Luke 12:29-31; 1 Timothy 6:19

To repent from sin

Revelation 3:17,19

To be generous towards the needy

1 Timothy 6:18 See also Matthew 19:21 pp Mark 10:21 pp Luke 18:22; Luke 3:11; Luke 11:41; Luke 12:33-34; Luke 14:12-14; Luke 16:9; Luke 19:8; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5,9 Jesus Christ's example the motivation for generosity; 2 Corinthians 8:13-15; Corinthians 9:6-15

Incorrect attitudes to the rich

Ecclesiastes 10:20 cursing them; Psalm 49:16-17 living in awe of them; Psalm 49:5-6 fearing them

Showing favouritism to them:

Job 34:18-19; Proverbs 22:2; James 2:1-4

God brings good news for rich people

Psalm 22:29-31; Matthew 9:9-10 pp Mark 2:14-15 pp Luke 5:27-29; Matthew 27:57 pp Mark 15:43 pp Luke 23:50-51; Luke 19:1-10

Examples of rich people

Abraham:

Genesis 12:10-16; Genesis 13:2 Genesis 26:1-14 Isaac

Jacob:

Genesis 27:19,28; Genesis 30:29-43; Genesis 35:11-12

The Israelites, who entered a fertile promised land with an abundance of wealth plundered from the Egyptians:

Genesis 15:14; Exodus 3:22; Exodus 12:36; Psalm 105:37 1 Kings 10:23 pp 2 Chronicles 9:22 Solomon

Hezekiah:

2 Kings 20:13; 2 Chronicles 32:27-29 Joseph of Arimathea; Matthew 27:57-60 pp Mark 15:43-46 pp Luke 23:50-53; John 19:38-42