15 Unexpected Bible Verses About Worldly Possessions
Looking for Bible verses about worldly possessions? Do you ever feel like the things you have in your life are consuming you? That it’s hard to focus on what actually matters because our attention is so often diverted away from values that offer us true fulfillment, joy and peace of mind?
In this blog post, we’ll explore bible verses about worldly possessions – their importance (or lack thereof) in God’s kingdom. It can be difficult to distinguish between necessary acquisitions and those that ultimately distract us from living a full Christian life with purpose – these biblical scriptures will help set our priorities straight while giving insight into how God views materialistic items.
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Bible Verses About Worldly Possessions
Possessing things does not make us who we are. The Bible, the world’s oldest and most widely read book, has much to say about our attitude to the possessions we have in this world. Bible verses about worldly possessions speak to us of finding contentment with what we have and being wise with how we use it.
From giving generously, to not loving money too much, these Bible verses provide valuable insight into how best to manage our resources and obtain lasting fulfillment that comes only from Christ. Bible verses about worldly possessions remind us that it is the Lord who gives us power and strength, and He governs those who trust in Him (Psalm 20:7).
By heeding the Bible’s wise words on worldly possessions, we can turn away from an accumulation of material items and instead embrace a patient and generous attitude toward true wealth.
The following verses have all been taken from the King James Version, consider using a website like Bible Gateway to look up the verses in different translations.
Matthew 6:19-20
“19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Matthew 6:19-20 KJV
1 John 2:15
“15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15 KJV
2 Corinthians 4:18
“18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 KJV
1 Peter 4:10
“10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10 KJV
Colossians 3:2
“2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2 KJV
Proverbs 11:28
“28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.” Proverbs 11:28 KJV
Matthew 16:26
“26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26 KJV
Luke 8:14
“14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.” Luke 8:14 KJV
Matthew 6:24
“24 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 KJV
1 John 3:17
“17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” 1 John 3:17 KJV
1 Timothy 6:17
“17 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 KJV
Hebrews 13:5
“5 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 KJV
James 4:14
“14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 4:14 KJV
Philippians 4:19
“19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 KJV
Luke 12:13-21
“13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15 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. 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:13-21 KJV
Matthew 6:33
“33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 KJV
Luke 21:1-4
“And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.” Luke 21:1-4 KJV
1 Timothy 6:9
“9 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.” 1 Timothy 6:9 KJV
Bible Verses About Earthly Possessions
Bible verses about earthly possessions have been studied by many different people throughout history. From religious leaders to everyday people, these Bible verses have helped them navigate the complexities of life, giving them guidance on how to use their resources in a manner that best pleases the Lord.
Bible verses such as Matthew 6:19-21 and Luke 12:15-21 emphasize God’s desire for us to use our possessions to further his kingdom and not be held down by worldly desires or preoccupation with material possessions. Other Bible passages such as 1 Timothy 6:17-19 encourage believers to value eternal treasures more than things of this world.
Some Bible texts further go as far as to warn believers of the dangers associated with being too attached to material things. As Proverbs 23:4-5 notes, even if you manage to acquire wealth through hard work, it can lead to an attitude of “coveting what others have.
As Christians, it’s so important that we set our priorities straight and focus on living a full life with purpose. These bible verses about worldly possessions have offered great insight into how God views materialistic items and their importance (or lack thereof) in His kingdom. It can be difficult to distinguish between necessary acquisitions and those that ultimately distract us from living a fulfilling Christian life but by always keeping these scriptures in mind, we can better align our actions with His will.
