Riches, dangers of

Material wealth can be a source of both physical and spiritual danger, against which believers are clearly warned to be on their guard.

Riches are spiritually dangerous

Love of riches a root of many evils

1 Timothy 6:10 See also Joshua 7:11, Joshua 7:20–21; 1 Timothy 3:3

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.

They may lead to divided loyalty

Matthew 6:24 parallel Luke 16:13 See also Matthew 4:9–10; James 4:4

No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

They may hinder people's response to the gospel

Matthew 13:22 parallels Mark 4:19, Luke 8:14; Matthew 19:21–22 parallels Mark 10:21–22, Luke 18:22–23

They may create false security

1 Timothy 6:17 See also Job 31:24–28; Psalm 52:6–7; Proverbs 11:28; Jeremiah 49:4

Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.

They may make people proud

Ezekiel 28:5 See also Psalm 62:10; Proverbs 18:23, Proverbs 28:11; Hosea 12:8

By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, but your heart has grown proud because of it.

They may cause unbelief and anxiety

Ecclesiastes 5:12 See also Job 20:17–20; Proverbs 15:6

The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep.

They may lead people to forget God

Proverbs 30:8–9 See also Deuteronomy 8:10–14, Deuteronomy 32:15; Nehemiah 9:25–26; Hosea 13:6

Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion. Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.

Riches are physically dangerous

Working for them may cause excessive tiredness

Proverbs 23:4 See also John 6:26–27

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself.

Enjoying them may lead to self-indulgence

James 5:5 See also Haggai 1:3–5; Matthew 23:25; Luke 16:19–21; 1 Timothy 6:8–9

You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter.

Misusing them may foster oppression and injustice

Leviticus 19:13 See also Deuteronomy 24:12–15; Proverbs 22:16; Isaiah 1:23; Jeremiah 22:13; Micah 6:12; Malachi 3:5; James 2:6, James 5:4

You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand.