Riches: They Who Covet: Fall Into Temptation and a Snare
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The pursuit and coveting of riches have long been subjects of caution within the biblical narrative. Scripture consistently warns of the spiritual dangers associated with an excessive desire for wealth, emphasizing that such covetousness can lead individuals into temptation and spiritual peril.

Biblical Warnings Against Covetousness

The Apostle Paul, in his first letter to Timothy, provides a poignant warning about the dangers of coveting riches. He writes, "But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge men into ruin and destruction" (1 Timothy 6:9, BSB). This passage highlights the inherent risks of prioritizing wealth over spiritual well-being, suggesting that the desire for riches can lead to moral and spiritual entrapment.

The Deceptive Nature of Riches

Riches, while not inherently evil, possess a deceptive allure that can captivate the heart and mind. Jesus Himself addressed this in the Parable of the Sower, where He described the seed sown among thorns as representing those who hear the word, 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, BSB). Here, the deceitfulness of wealth is portrayed as a significant obstacle to spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

The Love of Money as a Root of Evil

Paul further elaborates on the dangers of coveting wealth in 1 Timothy 6:10, stating, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows" (BSB). This verse underscores the idea that the love of money, rather than money itself, is the root cause of various evils. The craving for wealth can lead individuals away from their faith, resulting in spiritual and emotional turmoil.

Examples of Covetousness Leading to Downfall

Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of individuals who fell into temptation and ruin due to their covetousness. Achan, in the book of Joshua, coveted and took forbidden items from Jericho, leading to Israel's defeat at Ai and his own destruction (Joshua 7). Similarly, Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver serves as a stark reminder of how the love of money can lead to devastating consequences (Matthew 26:14-16).

Admonitions for Contentment

In contrast to covetousness, Scripture encourages believers to cultivate contentment. Paul advises Timothy, "But godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6, BSB). This call to contentment is echoed in Hebrews 13:5, which states, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you'" (BSB). These passages emphasize the importance of finding satisfaction in God's provision rather than in the accumulation of wealth.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on riches and covetousness serves as a timeless reminder of the spiritual dangers associated with the pursuit of wealth. By prioritizing godliness and contentment, believers are encouraged to avoid the snares of temptation and to remain steadfast in their faith.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Timothy 6:9
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Tenth Commandment
... is not thus limited; it reads, "Thou shalt not covet. . ... lying dead on the ground,
in the midst of his riches. ... "They that will be, (that is, desire to be), rich ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/tenth commandment.htm

1 Timothy vi. 7-Feb
... of the heathens, he who does not earnestly covet the crown ... If we contemplate aright
the true riches of eternal life, we ... yet they were and are but dust and ashes ...
/.../homily xvii 1 timothy vi.htm

Temporal Advantages.
... Are they not even called blessings ... Did not God bestow riches and honour upon Solomon
as a reward ... Paul say, 'Covet earnestly the best gifts[12]?'" It is true; nor ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon v temporal advantages.htm

The Tenth Commandment
... This is an emblem of a covetous man, who labours to draw riches to him, and at last
they come in such abundance, that ... What poor things are they to covet! ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 1 the tenth commandment.htm

In Every Sinful Man and Woman that is Bound in Deadly Sin...
... to GOD, and forsake all the vanities and riches that men who love this world covet,
and seek ... they known reason and had discretion; and so they lose their ...
/.../chapter i in every sinful.htm

The Sower.
... is a place for cares, and for riches too,"a ... These treasures, whether they were in
themselves the noblest or ... are safe in Christ, each should covet the best ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/i the sower.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... as meddle with the context, but shall immediately fall upon the ... he shall appear to
your joy, and they shall be ... his servants and his cattle flee into the houses ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... This was the apostle's way, namely, to covet to 'know ... which they should do, but
'before they had done ... him that calleth, 'could not stand,' but fall in pieces ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm

Paul's Departure and Crown;
... violence of the enemies of God, for their holy and Christian profession, we should
covet to make ... for riches certainly make themselves wings, they fly away ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/pauls departure and crown.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... And "the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in ... Let us therefore
covet to imitate Christ and the ... Beware of men, for they will deliver thee up. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about wealth? | GotQuestions.org

Why does God allow good things to happen to bad people? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about insecurity? | GotQuestions.org

Riches: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Riches

Riches of the Wicked Laid up for the Just

Riches: Be not Over-Anxious For

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

Riches: Cannot Redeem the Soul

Riches: Cannot Secure Prosperity

Riches: Corruptible

Riches: Danger of Misusing-Illustrated

Riches: Deceitful

Riches: Deceitfulness of, Chokes the Word

Riches: Denunciations Against Those Who: Abuse

Riches: Denunciations Against Those Who: Folly and Danger of Trusting To-Illustrated

Riches: Denunciations Against Those Who: Get, by Vanity

Riches: Denunciations Against Those Who: Get, Unlawfully

Riches: Denunciations Against Those Who: Hoard Up

Riches: Denunciations Against Those Who: Increase, by Oppression

Riches: Denunciations Against Those Who: Receive Their Consolation

Riches: Denunciations Against Those Who: Spend, Upon Their Appetite

Riches: Denunciations Against Those Who: Trust In

Riches: Examples of Saints Possessing: Abram

Riches: Examples of Saints Possessing: Barzillai

Riches: Examples of Saints Possessing: Boaz

Riches: Examples of Saints Possessing: David

Riches: Examples of Saints Possessing: Dorcas

Riches: Examples of Saints Possessing: Hezekiah

Riches: Examples of Saints Possessing: Isaac

Riches: Examples of Saints Possessing: Jacob

Riches: Examples of Saints Possessing: Jehoshaphat

Riches: Examples of Saints Possessing: Job

Riches: Examples of Saints Possessing: Joseph

Riches: Examples of Saints Possessing: Joseph of Arimathea

Riches: Examples of Saints Possessing: Lot

Riches: Examples of Saints Possessing: Shunammite

Riches: Examples of Saints Possessing: Zacchaeus

Riches: Examples of Those Truly Rich

Riches: Examples of Wicked Men Possessing: Ammonites

Riches: Examples of Wicked Men Possessing: Esau

Riches: Examples of Wicked Men Possessing: Haman

Riches: Examples of Wicked Men Possessing: Laban

Riches: Examples of Wicked Men Possessing: Nabal

Riches: Examples of Wicked Men Possessing: People of Tyre

Riches: Examples of Wicked Men Possessing: Young Man

Riches: Figurative

Riches: Fleeting

Riches: General Scriptures Concerning

Riches: Give Worldly Power

Riches: God Gives

Riches: God Gives Power to Obtain

Riches: Guilt of Rejoicing In

Riches: Guilt of Trusting In

Riches: Heavenly Treasures Superior To

Riches: Labour not For

Riches: Liable to be Stolen

Riches: Life Consists not in Abundance of

Riches: Often an Obstruction to the Reception of the Gospel

Riches: Often Lead to an Overbearing Spirit

Riches: Often Lead to Anxiety

Riches: Often Lead to Denying God

Riches: Often Lead to Forgetting God

Riches: Often Lead to Forsaking God

Riches: Often Lead to Fraud

Riches: Often Lead to Oppression

Riches: Often Lead to Pride

Riches: Often Lead to Rebelling Against God

Riches: Often Lead to Rejecting Christ

Riches: Often Lead to Self-Sufficiency

Riches: Often Lead to Sensual Indulgence

Riches: Often Lead to Violence

Riches: Perishable

Riches: Profit not in the Day of Wrath

Riches: Temporary

Riches: The Blessing of the Lord Brings

Riches: The Love of, the Root of all Evil

Riches: The True Riches

Riches: The Wicked: Boast Themselves In

Riches: The Wicked: Have Trouble With

Riches: The Wicked: Heap Up

Riches: The Wicked: Keep, to Their Hurt

Riches: The Wicked: Must Leave, to Others

Riches: The Wicked: Often Increase In

Riches: The Wicked: Often Spend Their Day In

Riches: The Wicked: Profit not By

Riches: The Wicked: Swallow Down

Riches: The Wicked: Trust in the Abundance of

Riches: They Who Covet: Bring Trouble on Their Families

Riches: They Who Covet: Bring Trouble on Themselves

Riches: They Who Covet: Err from the Faith

Riches: They Who Covet: Fall Into Hurtful Lusts

Riches: They Who Covet: Fall Into Temptation and a Snare

Riches: They Who Covet: Use Unlawful Means to Acquire

Riches: They Who Possess, should Ascribe Them to God

Riches: They Who Possess, should be Liberal in all Things

Riches: They Who Possess, should Devote Them to God's Service

Riches: They Who Possess, should Esteem It a Privilege to be Allowed to Give

Riches: They Who Possess, should Give of Them to the Poor

Riches: They Who Possess, should not Boast of Obtaining Them

Riches: They Who Possess, should not Glory in Them

Riches: They Who Possess, should not Hoard Them Up

Riches: They Who Possess, should not Set the Heart on Them

Riches: They Who Possess, should not to be High-Minded

Riches: They Who Possess, should not Trust in Them

Riches: They Who Possess, should Use Them in Promoting the Salvation of Others

Riches: They Who Possess, should when Converted, Rejoice in Being Humbled

Riches: Thick Clay

Riches: To God Belongs This World's Riches

Riches: Uncertain

Riches: Unsatisfying

Riches: Vanity of Heaping Up

Related Terms

Mammon (4 Occurrences)

Wares (23 Occurrences)

Enrich (6 Occurrences)

Fullness (31 Occurrences)

Worries (6 Occurrences)

Treasurer (6 Occurrences)

Treasure (66 Occurrences)

Treasury (25 Occurrences)

Traffic (12 Occurrences)

Pomp (13 Occurrences)

Choke (6 Occurrences)

Cares (28 Occurrences)

Struggle (16 Occurrences)

Esteem (25 Occurrences)

Goodness (83 Occurrences)

Gold (429 Occurrences)

Partridge (2 Occurrences)

Rich (140 Occurrences)

Glorious (91 Occurrences)

Poverty (25 Occurrences)

Trust (201 Occurrences)

Fruit (318 Occurrences)

Treasures (77 Occurrences)

Unfruitful (8 Occurrences)

Untraceable (2 Occurrences)

Unfathomable (3 Occurrences)

Unsearchable (8 Occurrences)

Gains (19 Occurrences)

Gathers (27 Occurrences)

Wealthy (22 Occurrences)

Inclusion (1 Occurrence)

Failure (5 Occurrences)

Fairs (6 Occurrences)

Flying (22 Occurrences)

Fulness (76 Occurrences)

Fulfillment (19 Occurrences)

Forbearance (9 Occurrences)

Traffick (4 Occurrences)

Trusting (45 Occurrences)

Trusteth (30 Occurrences)

Trafficked (7 Occurrences)

Thorns (56 Occurrences)

Transgression (70 Occurrences)

Trading (24 Occurrences)

Richer (4 Occurrences)

Exceeded (8 Occurrences)

Eggs (7 Occurrences)

Excelled (4 Occurrences)

Desirable (49 Occurrences)

Diminution (1 Occurrence)

Durable (2 Occurrences)

Deceitfulness (7 Occurrences)

Diminishing (1 Occurrence)

Difficult (31 Occurrences)

Difficultly (3 Occurrences)

Delight (213 Occurrences)

Making (644 Occurrences)

Mariners (7 Occurrences)

Merchant (15 Occurrences)

Proves (11 Occurrences)

Possessors (14 Occurrences)

Beggarly (2 Occurrences)

Becomes (138 Occurrences)

Adventure (3 Occurrences)

Sailors (9 Occurrences)

Goods (231 Occurrences)

Merchandise (34 Occurrences)

Becometh (82 Occurrences)

Wealth (340 Occurrences)

Robbery (18 Occurrences)

Splendor (87 Occurrences)

Trespass (101 Occurrences)

Vanity (100 Occurrences)

Enter (372 Occurrences)

Understanding (248 Occurrences)

Jewels (54 Occurrences)

Loss (90 Occurrences)

Acquired (32 Occurrences)

Discernment (43 Occurrences)

Riches: They Who Covet: Fall Into Hurtful Lusts
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