Study

Paul writes that “the love of money is the root of all evil”, and warns that those who “will be rich” fall into temptation and a snare. Jesus says to “beware of covetousness”, because a man's life does not consist in what he owns. The answer Hebrews gives is contentment, because God has said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

⁹But 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. ¹⁰For 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.

1 Timothy 6:9-10

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Luke 12:15

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Hebrews 13:5

The rich are charged not to “trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God”. Proverbs says riches “make themselves wings” and fly away. Jesus tells His hearers to lay up treasure in heaven, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

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;

1 Timothy 6:17

⁴Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. ⁵Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Proverbs 23:4-5

¹⁹Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: ²⁰But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: ²¹For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

Israel was told not to say, “My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth”, but to remember that the LORD “giveth thee power to get wealth”. Proverbs says “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” Wealth is a trust from God, not a proof of one's own strength.

¹⁷And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. ¹⁸But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 8:17-18

The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Proverbs 10:22

Paul's rule was “if any would not work, neither should he eat”. He says a believer who will not provide for his own household “hath denied the faith”. Even the thief is told to labour with his hands, so that he “may have to give to him that needeth”.

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

2 Thessalonians 3:10

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

1 Timothy 5:8

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Ephesians 4:28

Each believer gives “as he purposeth in his heart”, “not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver”. Proverbs says to honour the LORD with the firstfruits of all thine increase, and Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Giving to the poor is lending “unto the LORD”.

⁶But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. ⁷Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

⁹Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: ¹⁰So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Proverbs 3:9-10

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

Proverbs 19:17

“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another.” Proverbs warns that “the borrower is servant to the lender”, and the Psalm sets the wicked, who borrows “and payeth not again”, against the righteous, who “sheweth mercy, and giveth”.

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8

The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

Proverbs 22:7

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

Psalms 37:21

Jesus says no one can serve two masters: “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Paul had learned to be content in want and in plenty. Agur asks for “neither poverty nor riches”, so that he would neither forget God when full nor steal when poor. The order Jesus gives is to seek first the kingdom of God, and “all these things shall be added unto you”.

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.

Matthew 6:24

¹¹Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. ¹²I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Philippians 4:11-12

⁸Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: ⁹Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

Proverbs 30:8-9

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33