Riches: Wealth, Possessions, and Godly Stewardship

Riches speak of abundance, treasure, and the resources entrusted to human stewardship. While wealth itself is morally neutral, the human heart constantly faces the choice between worshipping possessions or worshipping the Giver of every good gift.

Biblical Understanding of Riches

In Scripture, riches describe an abundance of material possessions, livestock, land, silver, gold, or any valuable resource. The Bible presents wealth as a gift from God, the fruit of honest labour, and a blessing to be received with gratitude (Deut 8:18; Prov 10:22). At the same time, earthly riches are relative and temporary; they cannot measure a person’s true worth before God.

A person's life isn't measured by how much they own – Luke 12:15

The true foundation of riches is found in knowing God. Wisdom, righteousness, and the fear of the Lord are described as treasures far more valuable than gold or silver (Prov 3:13-15, 8:10-11). The Psalms repeatedly contrast the fleeting character of wealth with the enduring security of those who trust in the Lord (Ps 37:16, 52:7).

In the New Testament, riches take on a deeper, spiritual meaning. Believers are said to receive “the riches of his grace,” “the riches of the glory of his inheritance,” and “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph 1:7,18, 3:8). In Christ, Christians become heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, possessing an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading (1 Pet 1:4).

The Bible also recognises that riches exert a powerful hold over the human heart. Jesus warned, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mt 6:19-21). Riches promise security, status, and satisfaction, yet they easily become a rival to God. The more people depend on wealth, the more anxious they become about losing it, the blinder they grow to the needs of others, and the more resistant they are to anything that threatens their possessions.

Dangers and Warnings

Although wealth is not condemned in itself, Scripture warns sharply against the love of money and the deceitfulness of riches. The apostle Paul writes that people who want to get rich fall into temptation and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction (1 Tim 6:9-10). The love of money is described as a root of all kinds of evil, causing some to wander from the faith and pierce themselves with many griefs.

Riches present a unique spiritual danger because they encourage pride, self-sufficiency, and forgetfulness of God. Prosperity can choke the Word in a person’s life, making them unfruitful (Mt 13:22). Christ taught that it is hard for those who trust in wealth to enter the kingdom of God, because riches easily become a rival saviour (Mk 10:23-25; Lk 18:24-25).

The deceitfulness of riches chokes faith and blinds the soul to eternal treasure

Earthly wealth is also uncertain and unable to secure what matters most. It cannot buy health, a good reputation, genuine love, forgiveness of sins, or eternal life (Ps 37:16; Prov 11:4, 22:1; Rev 3:17). Those who make wealth their refuge will find their security swept away when riches prove fragile and fleeting.

Right Use of Wealth

God calls those who possess material resources to be humble, generous, and ready to share. Rather than trusting in uncertain riches, believers are to put their hope in God, who richly provides all things for our enjoyment. They are commanded to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share, thus laying up treasure as a firm foundation for the age to come (1 Tim 6:17-19).

Riches are good servants, but a bad master

Stewardship is central to a right use of wealth. The Bible declares that the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord (Ps 24:1). Therefore, people do not truly own possessions; they manage what God has entrusted to them. A faithful steward provides for family, supports the work of the gospel, cares for the poor and vulnerable, and promotes justice and mercy.

The pattern of Christ shapes Christian giving. Though He was rich in glory and divinity, He became poor by taking on human flesh, so that through His poverty believers might become rich in God (2 Cor 8:9). Generosity flows from gratitude for grace, not from guilt or compulsion, and cheerful giving honours the Lord (2 Cor 9:7).

Reflection and Application:

Examine your heart: does wealth increase your trust in God or in your bank account?
Practice generosity by giving regularly, sacrificially, and cheerfully.
Use your resources to relieve suffering, support the church, and advance God’s kingdom.
Cultivate contentment, remembering that godliness with contentment is great gain.