Today we will talk about bible verses about earthly possessions. Many Christians do not know what this means. Earthly possessions refer to our material things—the houses we live in, the clothes we wear, the money we earn, and everything else we can touch and see. Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up in wanting more or focusing too much on these items. But God has something to say about our earthly possessions. He reminds us that while these things can be useful, our hearts should primarily lean towards heavenly treasures and a life full of love and generosity. Be on the mode of meditation as we read through God’s word.
Bible Verses About Earthly Possessions
The Value of Treasures in Heaven
In our journey of faith, we often grapple with the concept of what truly holds value. The Bible teaches us that our hearts should not be anchored in earthly possessions but rather in treasures that last forever—in Heaven. When we focus on lasting values like love, kindness, and faithfulness, we live richer and fuller lives. Earthly possessions can fade away, but our relationships with God and others, rooted in love, will endure forever. Let’s remind ourselves to invest in these eternal treasures instead of getting lost in the allure of temporary gains.
Matthew 6:19-20
“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
Luke 12:33-34
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Luke 12:33-34
1 Timothy 6:17-19
“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.” – 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2
Matthew 19:21
“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.'” – Matthew 19:21
The Temporary Nature of Earthly Riches
As we walk through life, we must keep in mind that earthly possessions are only temporary. Wealth can come and go, but the love of God is everlasting. When we view life through this lens, we can appreciate what we have without becoming too attached. We are encouraged to use the materials in life for good, helping others rather than hoarding for ourselves. Let’s remind ourselves that it’s not the quantity of our possessions that matters, but the quality of our love and generosity in sharing them with others.
Proverbs 23:4-5
“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” – Proverbs 23:4-5
James 5:1-3
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that’s 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.” – James 5:1-3
Psalms 49:16-17
“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.” – Psalms 49:16-17
Ecclesiastes 5:15
“Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.” – Ecclesiastes 5:15
Proverbs 11:4
“Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” – Proverbs 11:4
The Heart of Generosity
One beautiful principle we discover in the Bible is the heart of generosity. Giving to others brings joy and reflects God’s love. When we view our earthly possessions through the lens of generosity, it changes our mindset completely. Instead of clinging to material things, we become stewards of God’s blessings, sharing what we have with those in need. This selflessness brings us closer to God and enhances our capacity to love our neighbors. Ultimately, generosity helps fill our lives with purpose and meaning.
2 Corinthians 9:7
“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.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7
Acts 20:35
“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.'” – Acts 20:35
Luke 6:38
“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.” – Luke 6:38
Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” – Proverbs 19:17
Matthew 10:8
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” – Matthew 10:8
The Curse of Materialism
Materialism can be a sneaky trap for us. It whispers in our ears, convincing us that happiness lies in acquiring more things. Yet, the Bible warns us that pursuing wealth and possessions can lead us away from our relationship with God. Instead of fostering joy, materialism creates anxiety and discontent. God wants us to focus on relationships, love, and making a difference in this world, encouraging us to seek a balance where our needs are met without compromising our values. Let’s ask ourselves if our focus is on things or on the people and purpose God placed in our lives.
1 John 2:15-17
“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.” – 1 John 2:15-17
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.” – Matthew 6:24
Luke 12:15
“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.'” – Luke 12:15
Philippians 4:11-12
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the 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.” – Philippians 4:11-12
James 4:1-3
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.” – James 4:1-3
The Blessing of Contentment
In our pursuit of understanding earthly possessions, we learn the fundamental principle of contentment. Finding joy in what we already have allows us to remain free from the chains of constant desire. The Bible speaks volumes about being content and how it leads us to genuine happiness. We can actively practice gratitude and see the blessings around us. Our hearts will find peace as we focus on the things we have instead of lingering on what we feel we lack. Contentment fills our lives with joy and helps us appreciate God’s abundant provision.
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.'” – Hebrews 13:5
1 Timothy 6:6-8
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” – 1 Timothy 6:6-8
Philippians 4:11
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” – Philippians 4:11
Proverbs 30:8-9
“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.” – Proverbs 30:8-9
Psalm 23:1
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” – Psalm 23:1
Stewardship of Our Possessions
Understanding our earthly possessions also leads us to a profound realization of stewardship. Everything we have is entrusted to us by God. This means we are responsible for how we tend to our belongings and resources. Being a good steward means using our possessions wisely and lovingly, whether through maintaining them, sharing them, or helping others with them. Our earthly possessions should be tools for fulfilling God’s will rather than simply objects for personal gain. We are called to use what we have in the service of God and others, enhancing our lives and enriching the world around us.
Luke 16:10
“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.” – Luke 16:10
Matthew 25:14-30
“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.” – Matthew 25:14-30
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.” – 1 Peter 4:10
Proverbs 21:20
“The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” – Proverbs 21:20
Malachi 3:10
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, 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.” – Malachi 3:10
Finding Our Identity Beyond Possessions
We must remember that our true identity is not defined by our earthly possessions. In a world that often equates success with wealth, the Bible encourages us to find our worth in being children of God. We don’t need to rely on material items to prove our value. Knowing we are loved and accepted by God gives us the confidence to view our possessions for what they truly are—temporary gifts to be used wisely. When we anchor our identity in God, we can enjoy our possessions without letting them dominate our lives.
Galatians 4:7
“So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” – Galatians 4:7
Romans 8:17
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” – Romans 8:17
Matthew 6:26
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” – Matthew 6:26
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10
Philippians 3:20
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 3:20
Earthly Possessions and Our Relationships
Lastly, it’s crucial to understand how our earthly possessions impact our relationships. When we acknowledge that we are all part of a community, we can use our blessings to build stronger bonds with one another. Sharing what we have fosters connection and love. Remember, we create spaces of warmth and care when we willingly share our blessings. The act of giving not only strengthens our relationships with others but shines a light on God’s love through our actions. Let’s commit to using our possessions to uplift and empower those around us.
Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
Acts 2:44-45
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” – Acts 2:44-45
1 John 3:17
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” – 1 John 3:17
Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'” – Matthew 25:40
Philippians 4:15
“Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the earliest days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only.” – Philippians 4:15
Final Thoughts
In our exploration of earthly possessions, we have uncovered timeless wisdom from the Bible. Our understanding of what we own and how we relate to material wealth shapes our spiritual lives. We have been reminded to focus on treasures in heaven, embrace contentment, and practice generosity. As we navigate through our lives, it is essential to recognize the temporary nature of earthly riches and instead put our trust in God’s eternal love. By being good stewards of what we have and finding our identities in Christ, we can build meaningful relationships with others and create a life centered around love and purpose. Let’s commit ourselves to live in a way that glorifies God and truly reflects His love through our earthly possessions.
Let’s carry these lessons close to our hearts, embracing a life that prioritizes the lasting treasures of love, kindness, and faithfulness over fleeting material gains. Together, we can cultivate a life that honors God, blesses those around us, and leaves a legacy of enduring love.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4
