What Does the Bible Say About Worldly Possessions?

List any four worldly possessions you have. Which one of those do you treasure most? As humans, it’s natural to treasure and desire earthly treasures like cars and property. However, material wealth isn’t the treasure you should be seeking. 

Keeping worldly possessions isn’t inherently immoral, but heavenly riches are still our main goal. As stated in Proverbs 11:28: "Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." 

What does the Bible say about worldly possessions? Read on to find out.

Where Are Worldly Possessions Talked About in the Bible?

The Bible talks about worldly possessions in many verses, calling on Christians to become stewards of God's gifts. As stated in 1 Peter 4:10: "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." In this context, God's grace covers our spiritual gifts and worldly possessions; therefore, we're called on to put what God gives us to good use.

What Does Jesus Say About Earthly Possessions?

Jesus said that we can buy and gather earthly possessions but discouraged us from hoarding them. Instead, He calls on Christians to use worldly riches to accumulate heavenly treasures.

In Matthew 19-20, Jesus 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.”

However, we can’t earn salvation by dedicating our earthly treasures. Christians receive salvation by following Jesus and putting our faith in Him, as written in 2 Galatians 16: “Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.”

What Does the Bible Say About Worldly Possessions?

The Bible says that somebody who loves the world and worldly possessions does not have a love for God, as stated in 1 John 2:15: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.”

Instead of focusing on temporary earthly things, Christians should focus on eternal heavenly treasures, as said in 2 Corinthians 4:18: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus told the Parable of the Rich Fool, a wealthy man who had an abundant harvest and decided to build bigger barns to store all his crops. With reassurance that the harvest will feed him for many years, he ate and drank to his heart’s content. However, God told him that he would die that night.

This parable is a good example of the common phrase "You can't take it with you." No matter what treasures we gather in life, we can't use them when we die. Instead of hoarding treasures for hoarding's sake, Christians are called to use them in furthering God's glory.

The Bible also tells us that we can’t serve God and money simultaneously, as written in Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” There’s no “both” option here–you become a servant of God or a slave to money.

Bible Verses About Worldly Possessions and Heavenly Treasures

Here are more Bible verses to remind you that earthly possessions are temporary while heavenly treasures are eternal:

• Colossians 3:1-4: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
• Luke 21:1-4: “Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
• Matthew 19:23: “And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.”
• Luke 16:9-10: “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. ‘Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.’”
• Matthew 16:26: “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”
• 1 Timothy 6:6-10: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 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.”
• Hebrews 13:5: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”

Principles for Managing Worldly Possessions

Managing your earthly possessions well is essential to leading a good Christian life. However, it’s not an easy task, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. Here are four principles to hold onto when managing worldly treasures:

Spend in Service to God

1 Peter 4:10 says that we’re stewards of God’s gifts. Our riches are entrusted to us by God, so use it to further His glory on earth. Remember to spend your money for God, whether it's through tithes, offerings, or other ways to contribute.

Be Thankful for Your Possessions

While we’re stewards of God’s riches, He still provides us with earthly riches for our consumption and enjoyment, as stated in Psalm 104:14-15: “He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate – bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.” 

Be Mindful of Prohibitions

We’re allowed to consume and enjoy our riches reasonably, avoiding excess consumption. Scripture states in Isaiah 5:11: “Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine.”

Give Thanks for Your Treasures

Whatever riches we have, we get them from the grace of God. That’s why it’s important to give our thanks and praise Him every time we enjoy our earthly treasures, as stated in Deuteronomy 8:10: “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.”

Conclusion

Jesus and the Bible don't prohibit us from earning and enjoying worldly possessions. However, Jesus calls on us to avoid hoarding earthly treasures because we can't take them with us when we die. Instead, He commands us to use our treasures to grow spiritually and seek heavenly riches.