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The Historic Faith
Scripture Topic Guide

Bible Verses About Wealth

Early Christian writers taught that wealth was dangerous when it ruled the heart, but they did not all say every rich person must be poor. Hermas, Clement of Alexandria, Cyprian, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origen, Tatian, and others commonly said money must be used for alms, mercy, and heaven rather than pride, greed, or trust in earthly security. Several writers also repeated Jesus’ warnings that no one can serve God and mammon and that treasure should be stored in heaven.

The teaching is broad and strong across the second and third centuries, though some texts are direct Bible quotations or comment on them rather than independent new statements.

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Key Passages

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How to Study Wealth

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35 references

Foundation Texts

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Direct treasure in heaven saying

Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

Direct command to sell and give alms

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Same treasure command in another Gospel form

Supporting Passages

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Short treasure-in-heart saying

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.