material possessions
What does the Bible say about material possessions? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
11 passages · most helpful first
19Do not choose to store up for yourselves treasures on earth: where rust and moth consume, and where thieves break in and steal. 20Instead, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven: where neither rust nor moth consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there also is your heart.
15So he said to them: “Be cautious and wary of all avarice. For a person’s life is not found in the abundance of the things that he possesses.”
33Sell what you possess, and give alms. Make for yourselves purses that will not wear out, a treasure that will not fall short, in heaven, where no thief approaches, and no moth corrupts. 34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
17Instruct the wealthy of this age not to have a superior attitude, nor to hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, who offers us everything in abundance to enjoy, 18and to do good, to become rich in good works, to donate readily, to share, 19to gather for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may obtain true life.
26For how does it benefit a man, if he gains the whole world, yet truly suffers damage to his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
10For desire is the root of all evils. Some persons, hungering in this way, have strayed from the faith and have entangled themselves in many sorrows.
17Whoever possesses the goods of this world, and sees his brother to be in need, and yet closes his heart to him: in what way does the love of God abide in him?
9For those who want to become rich fall into temptation and into the snare of the devil and into many useless and harmful desires, which submerge men in destruction and in perdition.
24No one is able to serve two masters. For either he will have hatred for the one, and love the other, or he will persevere with the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
33Therefore, seek first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things shall be added to you as well.
16For all that is in the world is the desire of the flesh, and the desire of the eyes, and the arrogance of a life which is not of the Father, but is of the world.