7 Eye-Opening Bible Verses About Worldly Possessions

I like my stuff, don’t you? Material possessions go beyond the basic ‘toys’ that we think of.

I love the 40 acres of land that we live on. The opportunities that it offers goes beyond my imagination. I cannot wait for my children to grow up on this land, explore, build, and nurture it.

Truthfully though, it is just a possession. So, what does the bible have to say about worldly possessions?

Are there Bible verses about worldly possessions that we can shuffle through to gain a clear perspective on our possessions and how they relate to the Gospel? 

What does the Bible say about earthly possessions?

There is probably no better-known Bible verse about worldly possessions than 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 NIV 

Notice that the verse is not telling you to stop buying worldly possessions. It is not telling you to sell everything you own and travel the world in a caravan. No, the verse specifically is talking about ‘storing up.’ 

As humans we like to store up treasures for ourselves. Our land is a perfect example. As we cultivate the soil, plant gardens, get our small hobby farm going, we cannot help but think about leaving this land to our sons someday.

Although this is a nice dream, it is not one that we are going to store our treasures in. Sure, the land is nice, it is beautiful and nurturing it is fun.

Someday it would be very fulfilling to pass it onto the next generation, but it is not our goal. 

Instead of storing up the treasures of this land, we want to use it to invest in the spiritual growth of our children. Creating a home for them to work, live, play, and grow in ultimately for the purpose of leading them to Christ, is the ultimate goal. 

Our earthly possessions should not be our ultimate treasure, but they can aid us in storing up treasures in heaven. 

What are considered Worldly things?

Simply put, worldly things are those things that are not going to last. The Bible is clear that this life and world is temporary. 

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 1 John 2:15 NIV 

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. 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV 

Yet we are also called to be a steward of the worldly things that we are given. 

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:  1 Peter 4:10 ESV 

The above verses are specifically speaking about our spiritual gifts we have been blessed with, but I believe we can extrapolate it to apply to our worldly possessions as well.

We are called to be good stewards of everything that God has given us. If God has poured his blessings out on you, then be faithful stewards of that grace and gift. 

Our worldly possessions are temporal. Cars, homes, land, computers, technology, money, inheritances; it is all temporary. But the spiritual things of this world have eternal consequences and implications.

2 Corinthians 4:18 implores us to fix our eyes on what is unseen. 

Focusing on Worldly Riches

Let us take a step back and read Matthew 6:19-20 again. Remember that this is Jesus speaking, 

“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 NIV 

Jesus is reminding us that our worldly investments are fragile. 

Money is important because it reveals who we really are. Are you using your money to invest in spiritual things? Or is your money a stronghold that is being used to increase the fragility of this world. 

Now do not take this as radical statements. I am not talking about selling everything you own and giving all your money away. We are also called to be stewards of our money.

Investing our time and talents in creating a home that is a haven for our family, can be just as spiritually minded as giving a million dollars to a missionary. 

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7 Bible Verses about Worldly Possessions

When we are exploring Bible verses about worldly possessions, we are not just talking about a few verses. The Bible speaks about earthly riches on many more than one occasion.

Our hopes and aspirations should be rooted in heavenly riches, not earthly. The Bible is abundantly clear.  

#1 Colossians 3:2

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

#2 Proverbs 11:28

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. 

#3 Matthew 16:26

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 

#4 Luke 8:14

And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 

#5 Matthew 6:24

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. 

#6 1 John 3:17

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 

#7 1 Timothy 6:17

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

Giving Up Worldly Possessions

Our worldly possessions will pass away. This world is temporary, and by extensions our material possessions are temporary. Why hold onto something that will someday disappear?

Instead, we are to use our worldly possessions to bring honor and glory to God.

Our possessions are tools that can lead and nourish out families to Christ or draw them further into the darkened world.  How are you going to use your possessions?