Topical Bible: Riches: Often Lead to Rejecting Christ

◄ Riches: Often Lead to Rejecting Christ ►

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The Bible frequently addresses the topic of wealth and its potential to lead individuals away from a faithful relationship with Christ. Throughout Scripture, riches are depicted as a double-edged sword, capable of providing comfort and security, yet often becoming a stumbling block to spiritual growth and devotion.

The Deceptive Nature of Riches

Riches can create a false sense of security and self-sufficiency, leading individuals to rely on their material wealth rather than on God. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus warns about the deceitfulness of wealth: "But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful" (Mark 4:19). Here, the pursuit of riches is likened to thorns that choke the spiritual life out of a believer, rendering them unproductive in their faith.

The Rich Young Ruler

A poignant example of riches leading to the rejection of Christ is found in the account of the rich young ruler. This man approached Jesus, seeking eternal life, but when instructed to sell his possessions and give to the poor, he went away sorrowful. Jesus remarked, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:23). This narrative illustrates the difficulty that wealth can pose in fully committing to Christ, as it often holds a person's heart captive.

Warnings Against the Love of Money

The Apostle Paul provides a stern warning about the love of money in his first letter to Timothy: "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:10). This passage highlights the spiritual peril that accompanies an inordinate desire for wealth, which can lead believers to stray from their faith and experience profound regret and distress.

The Rich Fool

In the Parable of the Rich Fool, Jesus tells of a man who hoarded his wealth, only to face sudden death, leaving his riches behind. Jesus concludes with a sobering reminder: "This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God" (Luke 12:21). The parable underscores the futility of amassing wealth without a corresponding richness in one's relationship with God.

The Call to Trust in God

Scripture consistently calls believers to place their trust in God rather than in material wealth. Proverbs 11:28 states, "He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf" . This verse contrasts the fleeting nature of wealth with the enduring prosperity of those who live righteously and depend on God.

The Example of Christ

Jesus Himself exemplified a life free from the entanglements of wealth. He taught His followers to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, promising that all necessary things would be provided (Matthew 6:33). His life and teachings serve as a model for believers, encouraging them to prioritize spiritual riches over earthly wealth.

In summary, while riches in themselves are not inherently evil, the Bible provides numerous warnings about their potential to lead individuals away from Christ. The pursuit and love of wealth can distract from spiritual priorities, create barriers to faith, and ultimately result in a rejection of the eternal life offered through Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 19:22
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 10:22
And you shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Contents.
... 13. The several Parts of that Promise, lead to the Knowledge of all the rest of
the ... Which are our principal Riches. ... Christ is often foretold under this Emblem. ...
/.../beveridge/private thoughts upon a christian life/the contents.htm

St. Paul's Wish to be Accursed from Christ.
... body of his nation"he had taken the lead against Christianity ... is a consideration
which often rises in the good ... By reflecting on the riches of divine mercy, we ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon ix st pauls wish.htm

The Gift and the Giver
... the inward, and therefore the only real, possession and riches. ... astonishment might
awaken interest, which would lead to the ... of her soul, that had often in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the gift and the giver.htm

B. The Second Stages. Chs. 13:22 to 17:10
... parable of the Unrighteous Steward is often regarded as ... who will commit to your trust
the true riches?". ... warned his followers lest they might lead anyone astray ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/b the second stages chs.htm

According to which principle or hypothesis all the objections ...
... So that I have often observed, that these asserters ... to acknowledge God's just judgment
in rejecting and forsaking ... seed, which as minded would lead and incline ...
/.../proposition vi according to which.htm

Pentecost
... daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners to ... of the Holy Spirit had
often been revealed ... of godliness, were ambitious for earthly riches and glory ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 4 pentecost.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... 3. But if thou say (as it is often the speech ... thy name will be more glorified, the
riches of thy ... thy conscience by promising to reform thyself, and lead a new ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... It may lead some simple readers to wonder how ... indispensable nature, and eternal;
seeing Christ only, as ... him call them indispensable and eternal never so often. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

Truth Hidden when not Sought After.
... or again why learned men are so often defective Christians ... is called talent, than
it has with riches, station, power ... us to dispense with it, and to lead us to be ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xiii truth hidden when.htm

The Soul Winner
... is to commend his Master and his Master's riches and then ... his own blindness before
he attempts to lead his friends ... down to hell by thousands; as often as the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the soul winner.htm