Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8700 Threats to the life of faith  »  8808 riches  »  8810 riches, dangers of

Material wealth can be a source of both physical and spiritual danger, against which believers are clearly warned to be on their guard.

Riches are spiritually dangerous

Love of riches a root of many evils

1 Timothy 6:10 See also Joshua 7:11,20-21; 1 Timothy 3:3

They may lead to divided loyalty

Matthew 6:24 pp Luke 16:13 See also Matthew 4:9-10; James 4:4

They may hinder people's response to the gospel

Matthew 13:22 pp Mark 4:19 pp Luke 8:14; Matthew 19:21-22 pp Mark 10:21-22 pp Luke 18:22-23

They may create false security

1 Timothy 6:17 See also Job 31:24-28; Psalm 52:6-7; Proverbs 11:28; Jeremiah 49:4

They may make people proud

Ezekiel 28:5 See also Psalm 62:10; Proverbs 18:23; Proverbs 28:11; Hosea 12:8

They may cause unbelief and anxiety

Ecclesiastes 5:12 See also Job 20:17-20; Proverbs 15:6

They may lead people to forget God

Proverbs 30:8-9 See also Deuteronomy 8:10-14; Deuteronomy 32:15; Nehemiah 9:25-26; Hosea 13:6

Riches are physically dangerous

Working for them may cause excessive tiredness

Proverbs 23:4 See also John 6:26-27

Enjoying them may lead to self-indulgence

James 5:5 See also Haggai 1:3-5; Matthew 23:25; Luke 16:19-21; 1 Timothy 6:8-9

Misusing them may foster oppression and injustice

Leviticus 19:13 See also Deuteronomy 24:12-15; Proverbs 22:16; Isaiah 1:23; Jeremiah 22:13; Micah 6:12; Malachi 3:5; James 2:6; James 5:4

See also

5398  loss
5476  property
5582  tiredness
5870  greed, condemnation
5973  unreliability
6250  temptation, sources
8778  materialism
8802  pride
8821  self-indulgence
8849  worry