Do you ever feel like our society is obsessed with materialism? It seems like everywhere we turn, there are commercials and advertisements telling us that if we just buy this product, we will be happy. While it is not inherently bad to have possessions and enjoy the good things in life, the Bible does warn against letting materialism take control of our lives. In this blog post, we will explore some Bible verses about materialism and discuss the lessons that we can learn from them.
Biblical Reference on Materialism
10 Bible Verses on Materials
Hebrews 13:5 ESV
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Luke 12:15 ESV
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
1 John 2:16 ESV
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 ESV
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 ESV
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.
Matthew 6:19-21 ESV
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:33 ESV
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Luke 12:33-34 ESV
Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 ESV
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
1 John 2:15-17 ESV
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. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Romans 12:2 ESV
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Mark 4:18-19 ESV
And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 ESV
Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Matthew 6:24 ESV
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Read more what the Bible says about materialism.
Materialism Quotes King James Version
The King James Version does not specifically mention the word “materialism.” However, it is clear from the text that the Bible condemns greed and excessive accumulation of wealth. In fact, Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter Heaven.
The Bible also teaches that we should not put our trust in material possessions, but rather in God. The Lord promises to provide for us and protect us, even if we are poor. So don’t be fooled by the allure of riches; they can never truly satisfy our soul. Instead, focus on developing a relationship with Jesus Christ and seek His guidance in your life.
FAQ about Materialism in the Bible
The Bible doesn’t use the word “materialism,” but it does condemn the love of money. In 1 Timothy 6:10, Paul says, “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.” In other words, greed and materialism can lead to all sorts of sin and destruction. When we put our trust in possessions instead of God, we’re opening ourselves up to heartache and misery. We can never find lasting happiness or security in earthly things–only in God.
There is nothing wrong with having material wealth as long as it does not become an obsession. God wants us to enjoy the good things he has provided for us, but He also wants us to remember that our true treasure is in heaven. The Bible says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
While there isn’t a definitive answer in the Bible specifically about hoarding, there are certainly principles that we can glean from Scripture that would apply. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that our ultimate security and significance does not come from anything that we can accumulate here on earth. Jesus himself said, “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, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).
The Bible doesn’t talk about worldly possessions explicitly, but there are a few scriptures that hint at the importance of not becoming too attached to earthly things. For example, in Luke 12:15 Jesus says, “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.” And in Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus says, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.