RICHES, Biblical verses

In Scripture, riches are presented as gifts that come under the sovereignty of God, yet they carry an inherent spiritual tension because of the human heart’s tendency to trust in material security rather than divine provision. The Bible does not condemn wealth itself; instead, it consistently warns that riches can become a rival master, subtly drawing the affections away from wholehearted dependence on God. From Jesus’ teaching that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” to Paul’s reminder that the love of money—not money itself—is the root of many kinds of evil, Scripture frames wealth as a test of spiritual allegiance. Theologically, riches reveal the orientation of the heart: whether one sees possessions as temporary tools for God’s purposes or as the foundation of identity and safety. Thus, while the Bible acknowledges that prosperity can be a blessing, it emphasizes that true richness is found in humility, generosity, and trust in God, who alone satisfies the deepest needs of the soul.

Quoted from the Old Testament

1. [Genesis 13:2] And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
2. [Psalm 39:6] We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.
3. [Psalm 49:6] They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
4. [Psalm 52:7] “Look at the man who did not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his wealth and strengthened himself by destruction.”
5. [Psalm 62:10] Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.
6. [Proverbs 10:15] The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.
7. [Proverbs 11:28] He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage
8. [Proverbs 13:8] Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat
9. [Proverbs 18:11] The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.
10. [Proverbs 22:16] Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.
11. [Proverbs 23:4-5] Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.
12. [Proverbs 27:24] For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations.
13. [Proverbs 28:11] A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.
14. [Proverbs 28:20] A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
15. [Jeremiah 49:4] Why do you boast of your valleys–your valleys so fruitful, O faithless daughter? You trust in your riches and say, ‘Who can come against me?’ 

Quoted from the New Testament

1. [Matthew 19:23] Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
2. [Mark 12:41] As Jesus was sitting opposite the treasury, He watched the crowd putting money into it. And many rich people put in large amounts. 
3. [Luke 12:20] But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’
4. [Luke 12:21] This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”
5. [Luke 12:33] Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
6. [Luke 21:1] While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box.
7. [Luke 21:4] All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.
8. [Romans 11:12] But if their trespass means riches for the world, and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!
9. [1 Timothy 6:9] Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
10. [1 Timothy 6:17] Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.
11. [James 1:10-11] But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.