Material things (or earthly possessions, as some love to call them) often promise satisfaction, yet they are fleeting and temporary.
The Bible reminds us that true fulfillment comes from a relationship with God.
While possessions can serve a purpose, Scripture consistently warns against placing too much value on earthly wealth.
Instead, believers are encouraged to store treasures in heaven and prioritize God’s kingdom.
Our attitude toward material things reflects our faith and trust in God.
Stewardship, generosity, and contentment are key virtues that align us with His will.
By understanding His Word, we gain wisdom to handle resources in a way that honors Him and blesses others.
These verses inspire God’s perspective on material wealth, offering timeless guidance on living faithfully in a world filled with distractions.
Bible Verses About Material Things
1. Matthew 6:19-21 – Treasures in Heaven
“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. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
2. 1 Timothy 6:10 – The Love of Money
“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.”
3. Proverbs 11:28 – Trusting in Riches
“Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”
4. Luke 12:15 – Life Does Not Consist of Abundance
“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’”
5. Ecclesiastes 5:10 – The Futility of Wealth
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”
6. Mark 8:36 – Gaining the World
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
7. Hebrews 13:5 – Be Content
“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.’”
8. Proverbs 22:1 – A Good Name
“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
9. Matthew 19:21 – Sell Your Possessions
“Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’”
10. Psalm 24:1 – The Earth Belongs to God
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
11. Luke 16:11 – Faithful with Wealth
“So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”
12. Philippians 4:12 – Content in All Circumstances
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
13. Malachi 3:10 – Test Me in This
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
14. Acts 20:35 – Blessed to Give
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
15. James 5:1-3 – The Misery of Hoarded Wealth
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.”
16. 1 John 2:15-17 – Do Not Love the World
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
17. Matthew 6:24 – Serving Two Masters
“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.”
18. Colossians 3:2 – Set Your Minds on Things Above
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
19. Proverbs 28:22 – Greedy Pursuits
“The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.”
20. Deuteronomy 8:18 – Remember the Lord
“But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”
21. 2 Corinthians 9:7 – Cheerful Giving
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
22. Psalm 37:16-17 – A Little with Righteousness
“Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.”
23. Proverbs 3:9-10 – Honor the Lord with Wealth
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
24. Job 1:21 – The Lord Gives and Takes Away
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
25. Isaiah 55:2 – Spending on What Satisfies
“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.”
26. Matthew 19:23-24 – The Rich and the Kingdom
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’”
27. Ecclesiastes 4:6 – Better with Tranquility
“Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.”
28. Romans 12:13 – Share with the Lord’s People
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
29. Proverbs 19:17 – Lending to the Lord
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
30. Luke 6:38 – Measure for Measure
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
31. Matthew 25:29 – Using Resources Wisely
“For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”
32. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 – Laying a Firm Foundation
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
33. Psalm 49:16-17 – Wealth Cannot Follow You
“Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them.”
34. Proverbs 30:8-9 – Give Me Neither Poverty nor Riches
“Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”
35. Revelation 3:17-18 – True Wealth in Christ
“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”
Our Thoughts on What the Bible Says About Material Things
The Bible teaches that material things, while necessary, should never become the focus of our lives.
Scripture consistently calls believers to prioritize spiritual treasures over worldly wealth, fostering a heart of gratitude, stewardship, and contentment.
God provides everything we need, reminding us to trust Him rather than material possessions for our security and joy.
We are called to use resources wisely, serve others generously, and live humbly, acknowledging God’s ownership of everything.
Greed and materialism lead to spiritual harm, while faith and generosity reflect God’s love and purpose.
Finally, living with eternity in mind brings peace, fulfillment, and a life that glorifies Him.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing us with all that we have. Help us to hold material things lightly and to trust You completely.
Teach us to live with contentment, gratitude, and generosity, using the resources You’ve entrusted to us for Your glory.
Align our hearts with Your eternal purposes, and guide us to prioritize Your kingdom above all else. In Jesus’ name, Amen.