Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8700 Threats to the life of faith  »  8808 riches  »  8811 riches, believers' attitudes towards

God entrusts some of his people with material wealth. If this is to be a blessing, it must be used in God-honouring ways.

Believers may be blessed with riches

Riches can be a blessing from God

1 Chronicles 29:16 See also 1 Chronicles 29:14-15; Job 1:9-10

Poverty is no certain mark of God's disfavour:

2 Kings 4:1; Matthew 8:20; Luke 6:20; Luke 16:20-22; Romans 15:26

The attitude of believers towards riches

They acknowledge that their riches come from God

1 Chronicles 29:12 See also Ecclesiastes 5:19-20

They devote their riches to God's service

Proverbs 3:9-10 See also 1 Chronicles 29:1-9; Acts 4:32-37

They support gospel work and workers

Luke 8:1-3; Acts 16:15

They give to the poor

1 John 3:17 See also Luke 19:8; Acts 9:36-39; Galatians 2:10

They are generous

1 Timothy 6:18 See also Deuteronomy 15:10-11; 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

They remain humble

James 1:10-11

They do not trust in riches

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

They do not set their heart on riches

Psalm 62:10 See also Luke 12:29-30

Believers value heavenly riches most

Matthew 6:20-21 See also Luke 12:33-34; 1 Timothy 6:18-19

Examples of rich believers

Abraham

Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 13:1-2

Solomon

2 Chronicles 1:11-12; Corinthians 9:22

Hezekiah

2 Chronicles 32:27-29

Job

Job 1:1-3

Joseph of Arimathea

Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60 pp Mark 15:42-46 pp Luke 23:50-54 pp John 19:38-42

See also

5389  lending
5413  money, attitudes
5556  stewardship
5558  storing
7105  believers
7742  missionaries, support
7755  preaching, importance
8031  trust, importance
8262  generosity, human
8291  kindness
8436  giving possessions
8444  honouring God