8701 affluence

Literally, “flowing” with prosperity. Wealth is not condemned in Scripture but is seen as a good gift of God. However, affluence has its dangers.

Godly affluence

Ex 3:8 See also Dt 28:1-6,11; Ps 1:3; Ps 112:3; Pr 8:18-21; Pr 22:4; Isa 60:5; Isa 61:6; Isa 66:12; Mic 4:4

Examples of affluence Ge 2:8-12 Eden; Ge 13:2 Abraham; Ge 26:12-13 Isaac; Ge 33:11 Jacob; Job 42:10-12 Job Solomon: 1Ki 3:13; 1Ki 10:23-29
2Ch 32:27-29 Hezekiah; Mt 27:57 Joseph of Arimathea

The dangers of affluence

Pride Dt 8:17-18; 1Ti 6:17 See also Ps 10:4-6; Ps 73:3-6

Reliance upon riches Pr 11:28; 1Ti 6:17 See also Ps 62:10; Pr 23:5; Ecc 10:19; Mk 10:24 fn; Lk 12:16-21

Over-attachment to riches Mt 19:22 pp Mk 10:22 pp Lk 18:23

Greed for more riches Ecc 5:10

Temptation 1Ti 6:9-10

Cares and anxieties Mt 13:22 pp Mk 4:19 pp Lk 8:14

Spiritual complacency Rev 3:17

Contempt for God See also Pr 30:8-9

Contempt for the poor or unfortunate Job 12:5; Pr 22:16; Am 2:6-8; Am 4:1; Am 5:11; Lk 16:24-31; Jas 5:1-6

Affluence is temporary

It is for this life only 1Ti 6:7 See also Job 1:21; Ps 37:35-36; Ps 49:10-12,16-20; Ecc 5:15

It is often lost Job 1:13-15; Ecc 5:13-14

Spiritual affluence

The riches of God Php 4:19 See also Ps 36:7-9; 2Co 9:9; Eph 3:8

Spiritual wealth Eph 1:3; 1Pe 1:4; Rev 2:9

The shared wealth of the church Mk 10:29-30; Ac 4:34-35; Php 4:18

The wealth of heaven Mt 6:20; Lk 12:33; Rev 7:16-17

See also