The Bible offers wisdom on how we should view material things. While possessions can bring comfort, it’s important to remember their role in our spiritual lives. Let’s explore some key verses that help us keep a healthy balance between the material and the spiritual.
Bible Verses About Material Things
Matthew 6:19-21 – Treasures on earth are temporary
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
1 Timothy 6:10 – The root of all evil can stem from our desires
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
Luke 12:15 – Life is more than possessions
“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’
Proverbs 23:4-5 – The futility of striving after wealth
“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”
Matthew 6:24 – The choice between God and material wealth
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Philippians 4:19 – God provides for our needs
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Hebrews 13:5 – Contentment is key
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’
Proverbs 11:28 – Trusting in wealth can lead to downfall
“Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”
Matthew 19:24 – The difficulty of entering the kingdom with material attachments
“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
James 5:1-3 – Wealth can lead to judgment
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10 – The insatiability of wealth
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”
Proverbs 30:8-9 – Seeking neither poverty nor riches
“Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”
Matthew 6:33 – Seek God’s kingdom first
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Colossians 3:2 – Set your minds on eternal things
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
1 John 2:15-17 – The transient nature of worldly things
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
Proverbs 15:16 – Better a little with the fear of the Lord
“Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.”
Matthew 13:22 – The deceitfulness of riches
“The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.”
2 Corinthians 9:7 – Giving generously over hoarding
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
1 Peter 1:18-19 – Our value is not in material wealth
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
Matthew 5:3 – The blessedness of the poor in spirit
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Luke 16:13 – The impossibility of divided allegiances
“No servant can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”
Proverbs 22:1 – A good name is more valuable than riches
“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
James 4:13-15 – The uncertainty of life and wealth
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
Ecclesiastes 3:13 – Finding joy in simple work
“That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.”
Proverbs 10:22 – The blessing of the Lord brings true wealth
“The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.”
Isaiah 55:2 – Invest in lasting sustenance
“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.”
Job 31:24-25 – Trust not in riches
“If I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’ if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, the fortune my hands had gained, then these also would be sins to be judged, for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.”
Romans 12:2 – Transforming our view on worldly things
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Matthew 16:26 – The worth of the soul versus material gain
“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”
Psalm 49:16-17 – Do not be afraid of wealth
“Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them.”
Matthew 7:11 – God gives good gifts to those who ask Him
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Judging Others Righteously
What Does the Bible Say About Material Things?
When we examine the scriptures, it’s evident that the Bible provides a multifaceted perspective on material things. While material possessions themselves are not inherently bad, our attitude towards them is what matters most.
Scripture advises us to be cautious about the love of money and possessions. In Matthew 6:19-21, we are encouraged to store up treasures in heaven, rather than on earth, as earthly treasures can deteriorate or be stolen. This heavenly treasure is comprised of spiritual wealth and righteous living rather than accumulating material goods.
The Bible underscores the principle of contentment. In 1 Timothy 6:6-10, we are reminded that godliness with contentment is great gain and that we bring nothing into the world and can take nothing out of it. Therefore, the pursuit of material wealth should not overshadow our quest for spiritual growth and eternal values.
Additionally, material wealth can be used for good when it serves a higher purpose. There are numerous instances where wealth is portrayed as a blessing from God, like in the case of King Solomon. However, it also comes with responsibility. Jesus highlighted the importance of using our resources to help others, often mentioning how the use of material wealth can impact our spiritual well-being. In Luke 12:15, He warns us to guard against all kinds of greed, suggesting a life that isn’t measured by the abundance of our possessions.
Moreover, the Bible promotes the notion of stewardship—being responsible caretakers of what we have. The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 illustrates the idea that we are entrusted with resources and are expected to use them wisely and diligently. This implies that material possessions are tools for good works, benefiting ourselves and others when used effectively.
While it’s perfectly fine to have material possessions, our ultimate focus should remain on eternal truths rather than earthly gains. Balancing our material and spiritual needs means recognizing the temporary nature of possessions and emphasizing values that sustain our spiritual life. This nuanced approach helps us maintain a healthy relationship with material things, ensuring they serve us, rather than us serving them.