Riches — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

Wealth measured by money or the amount of property owned, whether land and buildings (Is 5:8-10), livestock (1 Sm 25:2-3), or slaves (8:11-18). Great riches brought great influence and power, as the Hebrew word for wealth implies.

Show passage in OET: ISA 5:8–10

OET-RV ISA 5:8

8 Those who acquire houses won’t end well,
⇔ ≈ or those who add to their fields until there’s no room left.
⇔ → Then the poor are made to remain alone in the middle of the country.

OET-RV ISA 5:9

9 I heard Commander-in-chief Yahweh say:
⇔ ‘Surely many houses will end up empty—
⇔ ≈ even large and nice ones won’t have anyone living in them.

OET-RV ISA 5:10

10 A large vineyard will produce a measly amount of juice,
⇔ ≈ and ten baskets of seed will only give a harvest of one basket of grain.

OET-LV ISA 5:8

8 Woe _to those _who_make _touch _of (of)_a _house (in)_a_house a _field on_a _field they _bring _near until there _not _of is_room and_you(pl)_are _made _to _dwell you_alone in_the _midst _of the_earth/land.

OET-LV ISA 5:9

9 In_ears _of_my YHWH soldiers/messengers if not houses many (into)_a_waste they _will _become great_houses and_good_houses will_be_from _not an _inhabitant.

OET-LV ISA 5:10

10 If/because ten _of acres _of vineyard they _will _produce a _bath one and_seed _of a _homer it _will _produce an _ʼēyfāh.

Show passage in OET: SA1 25:2–3

OET-RV SA1 25:2

2 Now there was a man in Maeon whose business was in Karmel. He owned three thousand sheep and one thousand goats, and was busy shearing his sheep at Karmel.

OET-RV SA1 25:3

3 The man’s name was Naval, and his wife was Avigayil. The wife was wise and very good-looking, whereas the man (who was a Kalevi) was harsh and cruel.

OET-LV SA1 25:2

2 And_a _man was_in_Māˊōn and_business _of_his was_in_Karmel/(Carmel) and_the_man was_great very and_to/for_him/it sheep three _of thousand(s) and_one _thousand goats and_he/it _was when_sheared DOM his/its_flock _of _sheep/goats in_Karmel/(Carmel).

OET-LV SA1 25:3

3 And_name _of the_man was_Nāⱱāl and_name _of his/its_wife/woman was_ʼAⱱīgayil and_the_woman was_good _of insight and_beautiful _of form and_the_man was_hard and_evil _of deeds and_he mmm.

Show passage in OET: SA1 8:11–18

OET-RV SA1 8:11

11 telling them, “If you all have a king reigning over you, this is what he’ll demand: he will conscript your sons and appoint them as his cavalry or charioteers, or they’ll run as foot-soldiers in front, of his chariot.

OET-RV SA1 8:12

12 Others he’ll appoint a commander of various units. Some will end up ploughing his fields or harvesting his crops, or manufacturing his weapons and chariots.

OET-RV SA1 8:13

13 He’ll take your daughters to manufacture perfumes, or to be cooks and bakers.

OET-RV SA1 8:14

14 He’ll confiscate your best fields and vineyards and olive orchards, and give to his servants to control.

OET-RV SA1 8:15

15 Then he’ll demand a tenth of your seeds and grape harvests for his officials and his servants.

OET-RV SA1 8:16

16 He’ll commandeer some of your best male and female servants and young men, and he’ll impound some of your donkeys, then he’ll use them all for his projects.

OET-RV SA1 8:17

17 He’ll expect a tenth of your sheep and goats, and you yourselves will end up being his slaves.

OET-RV SA1 8:18

18 When that all happens, you’ll all cry out in front of the king who you chose for yourselves, but Yahweh won’t be answering you at that time.”

OET-LV SA1 8:11

11 And_he/it _said this it _will _be the _right[s]_of the_king who he _will _reign over_you(pl) DOM sons _of_your(pl) he _will _take and_he _will _appoint_them to_him/it in_chariot[s]_of_his and_among_horsemen _of_his and_they _will _run to_(the)_face _of/in _front _of/before chariot _of_his.

OET-LV SA1 8:12

12 And_to_appoint_them to_him/it commanders _of thousands and_commanders _of fifties and_to_plow plowing _of_his and_to_harvest harvest _of_his and_to_make the _weapons _of his _warfare _of_his and_the _equipment(s)_of his _chariotry _of_his.

OET-LV SA1 8:13

13 And_DOM daughters _of_your(pl) he _will _take to_perfumers and_to_cooks and_to_bakers.

OET-LV SA1 8:14

14 And_DOM fields _of_your(pl) and_DOM vineyards _of_your(pl) and_your(pl)_olive _of_groves (the)_good he _will _take and_he/it _gave to_servants _of_his.

OET-LV SA1 8:15

15 And_seed(s)_of_your(pl) and_vineyards _of_your(pl) he _will _take _a _tithe and_he/it _gave to_officials _of_his and_to_servants _of_his.

OET-LV SA1 8:16

16 And_DOM servants _of_your(pl)_male and_DOM servants _of_your(pl)_female and_DOM men _of_your _young (the)_good and_DOM donkeys _of_your(pl) he _will _take and_he _will _use_them for_work _of_his.

OET-LV SA1 8:17

17 Flock[s]_of_your(pl) he _will _take _a _tithe and_you(pl) you(pl)_will _become to_him/it (into)_servants.

OET-LV SA1 8:18

18 And_you(pl)_will _cry _out in _the_day (the)_that from_to/for_face/front/presence king _of_your(pl) whom you(pl)_have _chosen to/for_you(pl) and_not YHWH he _will _answer you(pl) in _the_day (the)_that.

Jump to OET ISA 5:8–10 section.

Jump to OET SA1 25:2–3 section.

Jump to OET SA1 8:11–18 section.

The Bible seems to speak with two voices on the subject of riches, sometimes describing material wealth as a sign of God’s blessing and approval (e.g., Gn 24:35), at other times virtually identifying the rich with the wicked (e.g., Ps 37:7, 16 OET PSA 37:7 · OET PSA 37:16).

Show passage in OET: GEN 24:35

OET-RV GEN 24:35

35 and Yahweh has blessed my master a lot, so that he has become wealthy. Yahweh has given him cattle, sheep and goats, silver and gold, male and female slaves, and camels and donkeys.

OET-LV GEN 24:35

35 And_YHWH he _has _blessed DOM my_master exceedingly and_he _has _become _great and_he _has _given to_him/it sheep and_cattle and_silver and_gold and_male_servants and_female _servants and_camels and_donkeys.

Show passage in OET: PSA 37:7; PSA 37:16

OET-RV PSA 37:7

7 Be still in front of Yahweh and wait patiently for him.
⇔ Don’t be angry if others succeed in what they do,
⇔ or when they make evil plots.

OET-RV PSA 37:16

16 It’s better to do right and only have a little,
⇔ than to be wicked and rich,

OET-LV PSA 37:7

7 Be _still to/for_YHWH and_wait _longingly to_him/it do _not fret _yourself in_one _who_makes _prosperous _of its_road/course in_a _person who_makes plots.

OET-LV PSA 37:16

16 Is_good the_little of_righteous more_than_the_wealth _of wicked_people many.

Jump to OET GEN 24:35 section.

Jump to OET PSA 37:7 section. · OET PSA 37:16 section.

God made all things for people to enjoy (1 Tm 6:17). That is why being rich is a matter for thanksgiving, not embarrassment. Every possession that a person can possibly own comes from the Creator (Ps 24:1), so all wealth can rightly be counted as a blessing from God. It was in this spirit that David could pray to God, “Riches and honour come of thee” (1 Chr 29:12, KJB). Even when wealth is earned by hard work, the Bible reminds its readers that both their talents and their resources are God-given. Jesus illustrates this important lesson in the parables of the 10 talents (Mt 25:14-30) and the 10 minas (Lk 19:11-26).

Show passage in OET: TI1 6:17

OET-RV TI1 6:17

17 Command those who are rich in this present age to not be proud and not to put their hope in uncertain wealth, but in God who richly blesses us with all that we need to be happy.

OET-LV TI1 6:17

17 To _the rich in the present age, be _commanding not to _be _highfaluting, nor to _have _hoped in the_uncertainty of _riches, but in god, which bringing _about us all things richly for enjoyment,

Show passage in OET: PSA 24:1

OET-RV PSA 24:1

24 The earth and all its content belong to Yahweh—
⇔ ≈ the world, and everything that lives in it,

OET-LV PSA 24:1

24 Of_Dāvid a _song to/for_YHWH the_earth/land and_what _of_fills _it the_world and_those _who_dwell _of in_it.

Show passage in OET: CH1 29:12

OET-RV CH1 29:12

12 Wealth and prestige comes from you, and you rule over everything. You have the power and strength and control to make people great and to strengthen everyone,

OET-LV CH1 29:12

12 And_(the)_wealth and_(the)_honour are_from_before _of_you and_you(ms) are_ruling over_everything and_are_in_hand _of_your power and_strength and_are_in_hand _of_your to_make _great and_to_make _strong (to)_everyone.

Jump to OET TI1 6:17 section.

Jump to OET PSA 24:1 section.

Jump to OET CH1 29:12 section.

Nowhere, then, does the Bible say that having possessions and becoming wealthy are wrong in themselves. There would be no point in the Ten Commandments’ ban on stealing and envy if it was wrong for God’s people to own anything at all. Jesus himself never taught that it was sinful to be rich.

However, Jesus warned that riches could keep a person out of the kingdom: “How hard it is for rich people to get into the Kingdom of God!” (Mk 10:23, NLT). Affluence, he taught, can destroy peace (Mt 6:24-34), blind people to the needs of others (Lk 16:19-31), stand between individuals and the gateway to eternal life (Mk 10:17-27), and even bring God’s judgment (Lk 12:16-21). He told his disciples not to accumulate personal wealth (Mt 6:19), and he praised those who gave up their possessions (19:29).

Show passage in OET: MRK 10:23

OET-RV MRK 10:23

23 Yeshua looked around and told his followers, “It’s so difficult for wealthy people to enter God’s kingdom.”

OET-LV MRK 10:23

23 And the Yaʸsous having _looked _around, is _saying to _the apprentices/followers of _him:
How difficultly the ones having the wealth will _be _coming _in into the kingdom of_ the _god.

Show passage in OET: MAT 6:24–34

OET-RV MAT 6:24

24 “No one can serve two masters, because they’ll either hate one and like the other one, or else will support one and despise the other. So you people can’t serve both God and money.

OET-RV MAT 6:25

25 “So that’s why I’m telling you all not to worry about your worldly life—things like what you’ll eat or drink, or how you look and what you’ll wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

OET-RV MAT 6:26

26 Think about the birds in the sky—they don’t plant seeds or harvest crops or gather grain into barns, but it’s your heavenly father who feeds them. Aren’t each of you worth more than them?

OET-RV MAT 6:27

27 Who can add an hour to their lifetime by worrying?

OET-RV MAT 6:28

28 “Why would you worry about clothes? Look how the flowers grow in the fields—they don’t work or make fabric,

OET-RV MAT 6:29

29 but I can tell you that not even King Shelomoh (Solomon) at the peak of his reign was dressed as well as the flowers.

OET-RV MAT 6:30

30 So if God dresses the plants in the fields that are here today and thrown away tomorrow, won’t he care much more for you, you people with little faith?

OET-RV MAT 6:31

31 “That means that you people don’t need to worry about having anything to eat or drink, or having clothes to wear.

OET-RV MAT 6:32

32 People with no trust in God try to obtain all those things, but your heavenly father already knows that you need these things.

OET-RV MAT 6:33

33 So instead you should be striving to enter God’s kingdom and to be guiltless in his eyes, and then all these other things will just follow.

OET-RV MAT 6:34

34 Don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow can worry about itself—today’s problems are enough by themselves.

OET-LV MAT 6:24

24 No _one is _able to _be _serving for _two masters, because/for either he _will _be _hating the one and he _will _be _loving the other, or he _will _be _upholding of_the_one and he _will _be _despising of _the other.
You _all _are_ not _being _able to _be _serving for_god and money.

OET-LV MAT 6:25

25 Because _of this I _am _saying to _you _all, be_ not _worrying for _the life of _you _all, what you _all _may _eat or what you _all _may _drink, nor for _the body of _you _all what you _all _may _dress _in.
Not the life is more than the food, and the body than the clothing?

OET-LV MAT 6:26

26 Consider on the birds of _the sky, that they _are_ neither _sowing, nor are _they _reaping, nor are _they _gathering _together into barns, and the the heavenly father of _you _all is _feeding them, are_ not you _all _carrying _value more than them?

OET-LV MAT 6:27

27 And who of you _all worrying is _able to _add one hour to the lifespan of _him?

OET-LV MAT 6:28

28 And about clothing why are _you _all _worrying?
Observe how the lilies of _the field are _growing, they _are_ not _labouring nor are _they _spinning,

OET-LV MAT 6:29

29 but I _am _saying to _you _all that not _even Solomōn/(Shəlmoh) in all the glory of _him clothed like one of _these.

OET-LV MAT 6:30

30 But if the god is_ thus _dressing the grass of _the field being today, and tomorrow being _thrown into the_furnace, not by _much more for _you _all, little _faith ones?

OET-LV MAT 6:31

31 Therefore you _all _may_ not _worry saying:
What may _we _eat, or:
What may _we _drink, or:
What may _we _clothed?

OET-LV MAT 6:32

32 For/Because the pagans are _seeking _after all these things, because/for the the heavenly father of _you _all has _known that you _all _are _needing of_ all _these things.

OET-LV MAT 6:33

33 But be _seeking first the kingdom and the righteousness of _him, and all these things will _be _being _added to _you _all.

OET-LV MAT 6:34

34 Therefore you _all _may_ not _worry for the_ next _day, because/for the_ next _day will _be _worrying about _itself.
The evil of _it sufficient to _the day is.

Show passage in OET: MRK 10:17–27

OET-RV MRK 10:17

17 One time when Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) was starting out on a trip, a man caught up to him and kneeling down in front of him asked, “Good teacher, what do I have to do to inherit eternal life?”

OET-RV MRK 10:18

18 “Why do you call me good?” he asked. “No person is good—only God is.

OET-RV MRK 10:19

19 You know God’s instructions: don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie in court, don’t defraud others, and honour your parents.”

OET-RV MRK 10:20

20 “Teacher, I’ve kept all of those since I was young,” the man responded.

OET-RV MRK 10:21

21 Yeshua looked up at him with genuine love and said, “There’s one thing still to be done: sell everything you have and give the money to the poor—then you’ll have wealth in heaven. After that, come and follow me.”

OET-RV MRK 10:22

22 But the man grew very sad when he heard that, and he went away upset because he owned many properties.

OET-RV MRK 10:23

23 Yeshua looked around and told his followers, “It’s so difficult for wealthy people to enter God’s kingdom.”

OET-RV MRK 10:24

24 (His followers were a bit stunned at his teaching.) Yeshua continued, “Yes, it’s certainly difficult to enter into God’s kingdom.

OET-RV MRK 10:25

25 It’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”

OET-RV MRK 10:26

26 Now they were totally stunned, asking, “How can anyone possibly be saved then?”

OET-RV MRK 10:27

27 Yeshua looked intently at them, “Yes, humanly it’s quite impossible. But with God it’s different—God can do anything!”

OET-LV MRK 10:17

17 And of _him going _out on the_journey, one having _run _up and having _knelt to _him was _asking him:
Good Teacher, what may _I _do in _order _that I _may _inherit eternal life?

OET-LV MRK 10:18

18 And the Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa) said to _him:
Why are _you _calling me good?
No _one is good, except not/lest one the god.

OET-LV MRK 10:19

19 You _have _known the commands:
you _may_ not _murder, you _may_ not _commit _adultery, you _may_ not _steal, you _may_ not _give _false _testimony, you _may_ not _defraud:
Be _honouring the father and the mother of _you.

OET-LV MRK 10:20

20 And he was _saying to _him:
Teacher, I _kept all these from the_youth of _me.

OET-LV MRK 10:21

21 And the Yaʸsous having _focused _in on _him, loved him and said to _him:
one thing is _lacking you:
be _going, sell as _much _as you _are _having, and give poor, and you _will _be _having treasure in heaven, and come, be _following after _me.

OET-LV MRK 10:22

22 But he, having _saddened at the message, went _away being _sorrowed, because/for he _was having many properties.

OET-LV MRK 10:23

23 And the Yaʸsous having _looked _around, is _saying to _the apprentices/followers of _him:
How difficultly the ones having the wealth will _be _coming _in into the kingdom of_ the _god.

OET-LV MRK 10:24

24 And the apprentices/followers were _being _amazed at the messages of _him.
But the Yaʸsous again answering is _saying to _them:
Children, how difficult it _is to _come _in into the kingdom of_ the _god.

OET-LV MRK 10:25

25 It _is easier for_a_camel to _pass _through through eye needle than a_rich one to _come _in into the kingdom of_ the _god.

OET-LV MRK 10:26

26 But they were _being_ exceedingly _astonished, saying to him:
And who is _able to _be _saved?

OET-LV MRK 10:27

27 the Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa) having _focused _in on _them, is _saying:
With humans it _is impossible, but not with god, because/for all things are possible with the god.

Show passage in OET: LUK 12:16–21

OET-RV LUK 12:16

16 Then he told them all this parable, “One time a rich man’s farm produced a really good harvest.

OET-RV LUK 12:17

17 So he started figuring out what to do, ‘What should I do? I don’t have anywhere to store my harvest.’

OET-RV LUK 12:18

18 ‘Ah,’ he said, ‘I know what I’ll do. I’ll knock down my barns and build bigger ones, and then I’ll store all my grain and other produce in there.

OET-RV LUK 12:19

19 Then I’ll be able to tell my soul: Soul, you’ve got enough good things now to be able to relax for many years of resting, eating, drinking, and being happy.’

OET-RV LUK 12:20

20 But God said to him, ‘How foolish! Tonight I’ll be demanding your soul and then who will everything you stored up go to?’

OET-RV LUK 12:21

21 “So that’s the end of someone who accumulated so much for himself, but wasn’t rich in God’s eyes.”

OET-LV LUK 12:16

16 And he _spoke a_parable to them saying:
The land of_a_ certain rich _man yielded _well.

OET-LV LUK 12:17

17 And he _was _reasoning by himself saying:
What I _may _do, because I _am_ not _having somewhere I _will _be _gathering _together the fruits of _me?

OET-LV LUK 12:18

18 And he _said:
This I _will _be _doing:
I _will _be _taking _down the barns and greater barns of _me and I _will _be _building, I _will _be _gathering _together there all the grain and the good things of _me.

OET-LV LUK 12:19

19 And I _will _be _saying to _the soul of _me:
Soul, you _are _having many good things lying for many years, be _resting, eat, drink, be _being _gladdened.

OET-LV LUK 12:20

20 But the god said to _him:
Foolish, on _this the night, requesting of you the soul of _you, and what you _prepared, to _whom it _will _be?

OET-LV LUK 12:21

21 Thus the one storing _up for _himself and not being _rich toward god.

Show passage in OET: MAT 6:19

OET-RV MAT 6:19

19 “Don’t amass wealth for yourselves here on earth, where insects and corrosion destroy things, and where it can be stolen.

OET-LV MAT 6:19

19 Be_ not _storing _up treasures on the earth for _you _all, where moth and corrosion is _destroying, and where thieves are _digging _through and are _stealing,

Show passage in OET: MAT 19:29

OET-RV MAT 19:29

29 And everyone who left their houses, or brothers or sisters, or father or mother, or wife or children, or farms, on account of my name and commission, will be repaid a hundred times over, and will inherit eternal life.

OET-LV MAT 19:29

29 And everyone who left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or farms, on _account the name of _me, will _be _receiving hundred _fold and will _be _inheriting eternal life.

Jump to OET MRK 10:23 section.

Jump to OET MAT 6:24–34 section.

Jump to OET MRK 10:17–27 section.

Jump to OET LUK 12:16–21 section.

Jump to OET MAT 6:19 section.

Jump to OET MAT 19:29 section.

Jesus’ warnings against wealth are not, in fact, directed against riches in themselves. What he condemns is the wrong attitudes many people have toward acquiring wealth, and the wrong ways in which they use it. Longing for riches, not having them, chokes the spiritual life like weeds in a field of grain (Mt 13:22). The greedy desire to have more wealth doomed the unforgiving servant (18:23-35). And the rich man’s selfishness, not his wealth, sealed his fate (Lk 16:19-26). Paul captured the main theme in these parables when he said, “The love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tm 6:10, NLT, emphasis added).

Show passage in OET: MAT 13:22

OET-RV MAT 13:22

22 The seed that landed among the thorns is the person who hears the message, but the world’s worries and wealth’s seductiveness choke out the message and it becomes unfruitful.

OET-LV MAT 13:22

22 And the one having _been _sown among the thorns, this is the one hearing the message, and the worry of_ the _age and the seduction of_ the _riches is _choking the message, and it _is _becoming unfruitful.

Show passage in OET: LUK 16:19–26

OET-RV LUK 16:19

19 “Once there was a rich man who dressed like a king and had everything in life to make him happy and content.

OET-RV LUK 16:20

20 At the same time there was a poor beggar named Eleazar (Lazarus; Grk. Lazaros) who was covered in ulcers. He’d been carried to the rich man’s gate,

OET-RV LUK 16:21

21 where he lay, hoping to get any food that might fall off the rich man’s table. The dogs even came and licked his ulcers,

OET-RV LUK 16:22

22 and eventually he died and was carried away by God’s messengers to recline at the table next to Avraham. Then the rich man also died and was buried

OET-RV LUK 16:23

23 and was tormented in hell. However, when he looked up, he saw Avraham in the distance and Eleazar reclining next to him,

OET-RV LUK 16:24

24 so he called out, ‘Father Avraham, be merciful to me and send Eleazar here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool down my tongue, because I’m very distressed here in this flame.’

OET-RV LUK 16:25

25 But Avraham replied, ‘Son, don’t forget that you enjoyed the good life while you were alive, whereas Eleazar had it bad, but now he’s here being comforted and you’re suffering.

OET-RV LUK 16:26

26 Anyway, there’s a deep chasm that’s been established between us, so that anyone here who wanted to go to you can’t, nor can anyone from there cross over here to us.’

OET-LV LUK 16:19

19 And a_ certain _man was rich, and was _dressing _in purple and linen, being _gladdened splendidly in _every day.

OET-LV LUK 16:20

20 And a_ certain _poor man by_the_name Lazaros, had _been _laid at the gate of _him, having _been _ulcerated

OET-LV LUK 16:21

21 and desiring to _be _satisfied from which falling from the table of _the rich man, but even the dogs coming were _licking _up the ulcers of _him.

OET-LV LUK 16:22

22 And it _became the poor man to _die _off, and him to _be _carried _away by the messengers into the bosom of _Abraʼam/(ʼAⱱrāhām).
And the rich man died _off also and was _buried.

OET-LV LUK 16:23

23 And in the Haidaʸs having _lifted _up the eyes of _him, being in torments, he _is _seeing Abraʼam from afar, and Lazaros in the bosoms of _him.

OET-LV LUK 16:24

24 And he having _called said, father Abraʼam, show _mercy to _me and send Lazaros, in _order _that he _may _dip the extremity of _the finger of _him in _water, and may _cool _down the tongue of _me, because I _am _being _distressed in the this flame.

OET-LV LUK 16:25

25 But Abraʼam said:
Child, be _reminded that you _took _back the good of _you in the life of _you, and Lazaros likewise the evil.
But now here he _is _being _comforted, and you are _being _distressed.

OET-LV LUK 16:26

26 And among all these things, between us and you _all a_chasm great has _been _established, so _that the ones wanting to _pass _through here to you _all may_ not _be _able, nor may _be _crossing _over from _there to us.

Show passage in OET: TI1 6:10

OET-RV TI1 6:10

10 because that desire for wealth is the root of all evil. Some who aspired to becoming wealthy wandered away from faith in Yeshua and wounded themselves with many disappointments.

OET-LV TI1 6:10

10 For/Because a_root of _all the evil is the fondness _of _silver, of _which some aspiring, have _wandered _away from the faith, and pierced themselves with_ many _sorrows.

Jump to OET MAT 13:22 section.

Jump to OET LUK 16:19–26 section.

Jump to OET TI1 6:10 section.

The greatest danger of all arises when riches gain the mastery in a person’s life. The whole Bible warns against this idolatrous attitude to material things (e.g., Dt 8:17-18; Lk 14:15-24). Satan tempted Jesus to put material wealth and power in God’s place (Mt 4:8-9), and Jesus delivers the clearest warning against making money one’s master (6:24). In this light Jesus instructs the rich young ruler to sell everything (Mk 10:17-22). Here was a wealthy man who had allowed his possessions to possess him. Jesus’ aim was to make him recognize his bondage so he could escape from his self-made prison. The fact that he turned away from Jesus demonstrates the powerful pull of riches.

Show passage in OET: DEU 8:17–18

OET-RV DEU 8:17

17 without thinking to yourselves that your wealth came from your own strength and ability.

OET-RV DEU 8:18

18 Remember that it’s your god Yahweh who gives you the strength to prosper, so that he can fulfill his agreement that he promised to your ancestors, as he has until now.

OET-LV DEU 8:17

17 And_you _will _say in_heart _of_your strength _of_my and_the _might _of my _hand _of_my it _has _acquired to_me DOM the_wealth (the)_this.

OET-LV DEU 8:18

18 And_you _will _remember DOM YHWH god _of_your if/because _that he is_the_one _who_gives to/for_yourself(m) strength for_doing wealth so _as to _carry _out DOM covenant _of_his which he _swore to_ancestors _of_your as_day (the)_this.

Show passage in OET: LUK 14:15–24

OET-RV LUK 14:15

15 Now one of the people at the meal heard all this and commented, “Blessed is anyone who gets to have a meal in God’s kingdom.”

OET-RV LUK 14:16

16 But Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) responded, “There was a home-owner who was putting on a large dinner and invited many people.

OET-RV LUK 14:17

17 When the meal was ready, he sent out his slave to go and tell everyone who’d been invited, ‘Come over now because the food is ready.’

OET-RV LUK 14:18

18 However they all started giving excuses. The first one said, ‘I bought a field and I need to go and inspect it. Please excuse me.’

OET-RV LUK 14:19

19 Another one said, ‘I’ve bought five pairs of oxen and I need to check them out. Please excuse me.’

OET-RV LUK 14:20

20 Yet another said, ‘I just got married so I can’t really come.’

OET-RV LUK 14:21

21 So when the slave got back, he reported all this to his master. The home-owner got angry and told the slave, ‘Well then, hurry out into the roads and streets of the city and bring back the poor and crippled and blind and lame people.’

OET-RV LUK 14:22

22 When he’d done that, the slave said, ‘Master, I’ve done what you instructed and there’s still room at the table.’

OET-RV LUK 14:23

23 So the master instructed him, ‘Well go along the roads and fences and force them to come so that my house will fill up,

OET-RV LUK 14:24

24 because I’m telling you that none of those invited guests will get a taste of this meal of mine.’ ”

OET-LV LUK 14:15

15 And one of _the ones reclining having _heard these things, said to _him:
Blessed is _he who will _be _eating bread in the kingdom of_ the _god.

OET-LV LUK 14:16

16 But he said to _him:
A_man certain was _making a_ great _supper, and invited many.

OET-LV LUK 14:17

17 And he _sent _out the slave of _him at _the hour of _the supper to _say to _the ones having _been _invited:
Be _coming, because it _is now ready.

OET-LV LUK 14:18

18 And all began of one to _be _excusing themselves.
The first said to _him:
I _bought a_field and I _am _having necessity having _come _out to _see it, I _am _asking you be _holding me having _been _excused.

OET-LV LUK 14:19

19 And another one said:
I _bought five pairs of _oxen and I _am _going to _approve them, I _am _asking you be _holding me having _been _excused.

OET-LV LUK 14:20

20 And another said, I _married a_wife and because _of this I _am_ not _being _able to _come.

OET-LV LUK 14:21

21 And having _arrived, the slave reported these things to _the master of _him.
Then having _been _angered, the the_home _owner said to _the slave of _him:
Come _out quickly into the roads and streets of _the city, and bring _in here the poor, and crippled, and blind, and lame.

OET-LV LUK 14:22

22 And the slave said:
Master, it _has _become what you _commanded, and still there _is place.

OET-LV LUK 14:23

23 And the master said to the slave:
Come _out into the roads and fences, and compel them to _come _in, in _order _that the house of _me may _be _filled,

OET-LV LUK 14:24

24 for/because I _am _saying to _you _all that no _one of_ the those _men which having _been _invited, will _be _tasting of _the supper of _me.

Show passage in OET: MAT 4:8–9

OET-RV MAT 4:8

8 Then the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the countries in the world, with all their splendour,

OET-RV MAT 4:9

9 then told him, “I’ll give you all of those if you get down on your face in front of me.”

OET-LV MAT 4:8

8 Again the devil is _taking him to a_ exceedingly high _mountain, and is _showing to _him all the kingdoms of _the world and the glory of _them,

OET-LV MAT 4:9

9 and he _said to _him:
I _will _be _giving all these things to _you if having _fallen, you _may _prostrate before _me.

Show passage in OET: MAT 6:24

OET-RV MAT 6:24

24 “No one can serve two masters, because they’ll either hate one and like the other one, or else will support one and despise the other. So you people can’t serve both God and money.

OET-LV MAT 6:24

Show passage in OET: MRK 10:17–22

OET-RV MRK 10:17

OET-RV MRK 10:18

18 “Why do you call me good?” he asked. “No person is good—only God is.

OET-RV MRK 10:19

19 You know God’s instructions: don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie in court, don’t defraud others, and honour your parents.”

OET-RV MRK 10:20

20 “Teacher, I’ve kept all of those since I was young,” the man responded.

OET-RV MRK 10:21

OET-RV MRK 10:22

22 But the man grew very sad when he heard that, and he went away upset because he owned many properties.

OET-LV MRK 10:17

17 And of _him going _out on the_journey, one having _run _up and having _knelt to _him was _asking him:
Good Teacher, what may _I _do in _order _that I _may _inherit eternal life?

OET-LV MRK 10:18

18 And the Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa) said to _him:
Why are _you _calling me good?
No _one is good, except not/lest one the god.

OET-LV MRK 10:19

OET-LV MRK 10:20

20 And he was _saying to _him:
Teacher, I _kept all these from the_youth of _me.

OET-LV MRK 10:21

OET-LV MRK 10:22

22 But he, having _saddened at the message, went _away being _sorrowed, because/for he _was having many properties.

Jump to OET DEU 8:17–18 section.

Jump to OET LUK 14:15–24 section.

Jump to OET MAT 4:8–9 section.

Jump to OET MAT 6:24 section.

Jump to OET MRK 10:17–22 section.

These blunt warnings are the most striking aspect of Jesus’ teaching on wealth. But alongside his exposure of wrong attitudes he was careful to sketch in the outline of right attitudes. Those who recognize that they are God’s trustees (not owners) of their possessions, he taught, will find many valuable outlets for their riches in the Lord’s service (Lk 12:42-44). Instead of making them tight-fisted, their riches should allow them to express love in many practical ways (2 Cor 8:2). And instead of having their inward peace ruined by anxious greed, they would find the secret of serenity in an increasing sense of dependence on their heavenly Giver (Lk 12:29-31; 1 Tm 6:17).

Show passage in OET: LUK 12:42–44

OET-RV LUK 12:42

42 The master answered, “So what would a faithful and wise slave be like, that the master might make into a manager over all his slaves, the one to give them their rations?

OET-RV LUK 12:43

43 That slave will be blessed when his master arrives and finds him doing everything he should.

OET-RV LUK 12:44

44 I can assure you all that the master will put him in charge of everything he owns.

OET-LV LUK 12:42

42 And the master said:
Who consequently is the faithful prudent manager the, whom the master will _be _appointing over the service of _him, which to _be _giving ration in season?

OET-LV LUK 12:43

43 Blessed is the that slave, whom the master of _him having _come, will _be _finding doing thus.

OET-LV LUK 12:44

44 Truly I _am _saying to _you _all that he _will _be _appointing him over all the things possessing of _him.

Show passage in OET: CO2 8:2

OET-RV CO2 8:2

2 in that as they proved themselves in a time of persecution, they continued to show great positivity and from the depth of their poverty, their generosity resulted in plentiful riches.

OET-LV CO2 8:2

2 that in much provenness of _tribulation, the abundance of _the joy of _them and which according _to depth poverty of _them, been _plentiful into the riches of _the generosity of _them.

Show passage in OET: LUK 12:29–31

OET-RV LUK 12:29

29 “So don’t all be looking for what to eat or to drink, and don’t waste time by worrying

OET-RV LUK 12:30

30 because people in every country in the world are looking for that, but your father already knows that you need those things.

OET-RV LUK 12:31

31 Rather you should be striving to enter his kingdom, and then all these things will come as a bonus.

OET-LV LUK 12:29

29 Also you _all be_ not _seeking what you _all _may _eat, or what you _all _may _drink, and be_ not _being _worried.

OET-LV LUK 12:30

30 For/Because all the nations of _the world are _seeking _after these things, but the father of _you _all has _known that you _all _are _needing of _these things.

OET-LV LUK 12:31

31 However be _seeking the kingdom of _him, and these things will _be _being _added to _you _all.

Jump to OET LUK 12:42–44 section.

Jump to OET CO2 8:2 section.

Jump to OET LUK 12:29–31 section.

According to the Bible, then, the morality of riches depends entirely on personal attitudes. And nowhere does this come out more than in the frequent comparisons Scripture draws between material and spiritual wealth. Those who make material riches their goal in life have wrong values. However wealthy they may appear, they are poverty-stricken in God’s sight (Mt 16:26; Rv 3:17). In his view, the truly rich are those whose main aim in life is to serve him as King (Mt 13:44-46). Their wealth lies in the currency of faith and good works (1 Tm 6:18; Jas 2:5)—a heavenly bank balance that no one can steal and nothing can erode: “Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be” (Mt 6:21, NLT).