Topical Bible: Riches: Cannot Deliver in the Day of God's Wrath

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept that material wealth and riches cannot deliver a person from the judgment and wrath of God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. This principle underscores the transient nature of earthly possessions and the futility of relying on them for ultimate security and salvation.

Biblical References

1. Proverbs 11:4 · "Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death."
This verse clearly articulates the impotence of wealth when faced with divine judgment. It contrasts the fleeting value of riches with the enduring power of righteousness, which alone can deliver from death.

2. Ezekiel 7:19 · "They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will seem unclean. Their silver and gold cannot save them in the day of the wrath of the LORD. They will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs, for it has caused them to stumble into sin."
Here, the prophet Ezekiel vividly describes the futility of wealth in the face of God's wrath. The imagery of silver and gold being discarded like refuse highlights their inability to provide salvation or sustenance during divine judgment.

3. Zephaniah 1:18 · "Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy. For He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth."
Zephaniah emphasizes the totality of God's judgment, where material wealth offers no refuge. The prophet warns of the comprehensive nature of divine wrath, which will consume all, regardless of their earthly riches.

4. James 5:1-3 · "Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail for the misery to come upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 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."
The apostle James admonishes the wealthy, highlighting the temporary and corruptible nature of their riches. He warns that their wealth will not only fail to save them but will also serve as evidence against them in the day of judgment.

Theological Implications

The Bible consistently teaches that reliance on material wealth is misplaced when considering eternal matters. Riches, while they may provide comfort and security in this life, are powerless in the face of God's ultimate judgment. The scriptures call believers to prioritize righteousness and faithfulness over the accumulation of wealth, as these are the true treasures that deliver from death and align with God's eternal purposes.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to view their possessions as temporary and to use their resources in ways that honor God and advance His kingdom. The call is to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that true security and deliverance come from a relationship with God, not from material wealth. This perspective fosters a life of generosity, stewardship, and trust in God's provision and justice.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zephaniah 1:18
Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 6:15-17
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every slave, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ, the Believer's Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and ...
... But perhaps you despise riches and pleasure, and therefore place ... So that believers
cannot do things for God with ... makes them cry out, 'Who shall deliver us from ...
/.../christ the believers wisdom righteousness.htm

A Drama in Five Acts
... hairs of the owner of all these riches betoken that ... At the seaport town of Garliestown
one day last week ... sins is on his loins: he cannot deliver himself; the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/a drama in five acts.htm

The Lord's Prayer. Our Father who Art in Heaven.
... upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee. ... we ought not to surrender for
all the riches of the ... and name which he desires; if not, it cannot be called ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/the lords prayer our father.htm

"There is Therefore Now no Condemnation to them which are in ...
... with Paul""O wretched man"who shall deliver me from ... comfort yourselves in hope; but
you cannot see to ... he give for his life." These riches and advantages ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon i there is therefore.htm

The Covenant of Grace
... He entered into a covenant of grace to deliver the elect ... God are a willing people;
though they cannot serve God ... and take Christ with it; take riches, and take ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the covenant of grace.htm

The Wisdom of God's Counsels
... It cannot be otherwise ... lest he pluck you away, and there be none to deliver! ... those
innumerable temptations, which are inseparable from riches; God has constantly ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 68 the wisdom of.htm

Withholding Corn
... May God deliver you from the curse of those who thus ... can love God when he only lives
to heap up riches. ... and accumulate and accumulate, and I cannot think that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/withholding corn.htm

A Sermon for the Time Present
... cross, counting the reproach of Christ greater riches than all ... a God nigh at hand,
and ready to deliver his people ... does not speak to his people: we cannot get a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 33 1887/a sermon for the time.htm

Treatise ix. On the Advantage of Patience.
... and says: "Or despisest thou the riches of His ... The righteousness of the righteous
shall not deliver him in ... in the breast, and these things cannot have place ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise ix on the advantage.htm

The Excellencies of the Saints' Rest.
... If a dying friend deliver us but a token of his love ... high mountain, but the mount
Sion he cannot ascend; and ... below us; of coveting the honors and riches of some ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter iii the excellencies of.htm