77 Bible Verses about Materialism, As An Aspect Of Sin

And the woman saw that it was a good tree to eat of, and lusty unto the eyes, and a pleasant tree for to make wise. And took of the fruit of it and ate, and gave unto her husband also with her, and he ate.

When they counted themselves wise, they became fools and turned the glory of the immortal God, unto the similitude of the image: of mortal man, and of birds, and four footed beasts and of serpents.

Wherefore shall the Heathen say, "Where is now their God?" As for our God, he is in heaven; he doth whatsoever it pleaseth him. Their images are but silver and gold, even the work of men's hands.read more.
They have mouths, and speak not; eyes have they, but they see not. They have ears, and hear not; noses have they, but they smell not. They have hands, and handle not; feet have they, but they walk not; neither speak they through their throat. They that make them, are like unto them; and so are all such as put their trust in them.

All carvers of Images are but vain, and the carved images that they love can do no good. They must bear record themselves, that seeing they can neither see nor understand they shall be confounded. Who should now make a God, or fashion an Image, that is profitable for nothing? Behold, all the fellowship of them must be brought to confusion. Let all the workmasters of them come and stand together from among men: they must be abashed and confounded one with another.

Nebuchadnezzar the king caused a golden Image to be made, which was sixty cubits high, and six cubits thick. This he made to be set up in the field of Dura, in the land of Babylon

What help then will the Image do, whom the workman hath fashioned? Or the vain cast Image, wherein because the craftsmen putteth his trust, therefore maketh he dumb Idols?

While Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was moved in him to see the city given to worshipping of images.

For the men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, cursed speakers, disobedient to father and mother, unthankful, unholy,

"Thou shalt make thee no graven image, neither any similitude that is in heaven above, either in the earth beneath, or in the water that is beneath the earth. See that thou neither bow thyself unto them neither serve them: for I, the LORD thy God, am a jealous God, and visit the sin of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me:

And he received them of their hands and fashioned it with a graver and made it a calf of molten metal. And they said, "This is thy God, O Israel, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt."

Ye shall make you no idols, nor graven image, neither rear you up any pillar, neither ye shall set up any image of stone in your land to bow yourselves thereto: for I am the LORD your God;

Take heed unto yourselves diligently as pertaining unto your souls, for ye saw no manner of image the day when the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the fire; lest ye mar yourselves and make you graven images after whatsoever likeness it be: whether after the likeness of man or woman or any manner beast that is on the earth or of any manner feathered fowl that flyeth in the air,read more.
or of any manner worm that creepeth on the earth or of any manner fish that is in the water beneath the earth. Yea, and lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun and the moon and the stars and whatsoever is contained in heaven, shouldest be deceived and shouldest bow thyself unto them and serve the things which the LORD thy God hath distributed unto all nations that are under all quarters of heaven.

The images of their gods thou shalt burn with fire, and see that thou covet not the silver or gold that is on them nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therewith. For it is an abomination unto the LORD thy God.

But king Solomon loved many outlandish women: the daughter of Pharaoh, and of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites, even of nations of which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, "See ye come not at them, nor let them come to you: for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless to such Solomon clave and fell in love with them. And he had seven hundred very Queens and three hundred concubines which turned always his heart.read more.
For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart after other gods: so that his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. And Solomon followed Ashtaroth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD and continued not after the LORD as did David his father.

They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image. Thus they turned their glory into the similitude of a calf, that eateth hay.

Even I am the LORD, and this is my name: and my glory will I give to none other, neither mine honour to graven images.

whether the Gentiles themselves deal so falsely and untruly with their gods - which yet are no gods indeed! But my people hath given over their high honour, for a thing that may not help them. Be astonished, O ye heavens, be afraid, and abashed at such a thing, sayeth the LORD. For my people hath done two evils: They have forsaken me, the well of the water of life; and digged them pits, yea, vile and broken pits, that hold no water.

Wherefore my dear beloved, flee from worshipping of idols.

And riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all, and in thine hand is power and strength, and in thine hand it is to make great and to give strength unto all.

Abram was very rich in cattle, silver and gold.

And Isaac sowed in the land, and found in the same year a hundred bushels; for the LORD blessed him. And the man waxed mighty, and went forth and grew till he was exceeding great,

But remember the LORD thy God, how that it is he which gave thee power to do manfully, for to make good the covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is come to pass this day.

And he made him towns because he had cattle of sheep and oxen great abundance. For God had given him substance exceeding much.

{Praise the Everlasting} Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, and hath great delight in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth; the generation of the faithful shall be blessed. Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house, and his righteousness endureth forever.

The blessing of the LORD, maketh rich men; as for careful travail, it doth nothing thereto.

And she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold: which they bestowed upon Baal.

and when thy beasts and thy sheep are waxed many and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast increased, then beware lest thine heart rise and thou forget the LORD thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt the house of bondage,

They that will be rich, fall into temptation and snares, and into many foolish and noisome lusts, which drown men in perdition and destruction. For covetousness is the root of all evil, which while some lusted after, they erred from the faith, and tangled themselves with many sorrows.

"Have I put my trust in gold? Or, have I said to the finest gold of all, 'Thou art my confidence?' Have I rejoiced because my substance was great, and because my hand gat so much? Did I ever greatly regard the rising of the sun? Or, had I the going down of the moon in great reputation?read more.
Hath my heart meddled privily with any deceit? Or, did I ever kiss mine own hand? That were a wickedness worth to be punished, for then should I have denied the God that is above.

With thy great wisdom and occupying, hast thou increased thy power, and because of thy great riches, thy heart is proud.

And Jesus said unto him, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." When the young man heard that saying, he went away mourning. For he had great possessions.

When Jesus heard that, he said unto him, "Yet lackest thou one thing. Sell all that thou hast, and distribute it unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, and follow me." When he heard that, he was heavy, for he was very rich.

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said, "What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?" And they appointed unto him thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

He, then, that hath the substance of the world, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his compassion from him: how dwelleth the love of God in him?

Then Jesus said then unto his disciples: "Verily I say unto you, it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. And moreover I say unto you: it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

And his disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again, and said unto them, "Children: how hard is it for them, that trust in their riches, to enter into the kingdom of God? It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of an needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

When Jesus saw him mourn, he said, "With what difficulty shall they that have riches, enter into the kingdom of God: Easier it is for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

He that was sown among thorns, is he that heareth the word of God, but the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and so is he made unfruitful.

And these are they that are sown among the thorns; which are such as hear the word of God, and the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things enter in, and choke the word, and it is made unfruitful.

And that which fell among thorns, are they which hear, and go forth, and are choked with cares and with riches, and voluptuous living, and bring forth no fruit.

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not exceeding wise, and that they trust not in the uncertain riches, but in the living God, which giveth us abundantly all things to enjoy them, and that they do good and be rich in good works, and ready to give and to distribute, laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may obtain eternal life.

If there come into your company a man with a golden ring, and in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment, and ye have a respect to him that weareth the gay clothing and say unto him, "Sit thou here in a good place," and say unto the poor, "stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool" - are ye not even partial in your selves, and have judged after evil thoughts?read more.
Hearken, my dear beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world, which are rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he promised to them that love him?

Go to now, ye rich men. Weep, and howl on your wretchedness that shall come upon you. Your riches is corrupt, your garments are motheaten. Your gold and your silver are cankered, and the rust of them shall be a witness unto you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together in your last days.read more.
Behold, the hire of the laborers which have reaped down your fields - which hire is of you kept back by fraud - crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped, are entered into the ears of the Lord of Hosts. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth and in wantonness. Ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and have killed the just, and he hath not resisted you.

For riches abide not away, and the crown endureth not forever.

see that their increase shall be hewn down, and their posterity consumed with fire.

For he seeth that wise men also die and perish together, as well as the ignorant and foolish, and leave their riches for others.

A good name is more worth than great riches; and loving favour is better than silver and gold. Whether riches or poverty do meet us, it cometh all of God.

Why wilt thou set thine eye upon the thing, which suddenly vanisheth away? For riches make themselves wings, and take their flight like an Eagle into the air.

The deceitful maketh a nest, but bringeth forth no young: He cometh by riches, but not righteously. In the midst of his life must he leave them behind him, and at the last be found a very fool.

But God said unto him, 'Thou fool, this night will they fetch away thy soul again from thee. Then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?' So is it with him that gathered riches, and is not rich in God."

For we brought nothing into the world, and it is a plain case that we can carry nothing out.

Consider now your own ways in your hearts, sayeth the LORD of Hosts. Ye sow much, but ye bring little in; Ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled; ye deck yourselves, but ye are not warm; and he that earneth any wage, putteth it in a broken purse.

"See that ye gather not treasure together upon the earth, where rust and moths corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, "Let me have thy vineyard, to make me a garden of herbs thereof, because it lieth so nigh my house: and I will give thee a better vineyard for it: or if it please thee I will give thee, the worth of it in silver." But Naboth said to Ahab, "The LORD forbid that from me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee." Then went Ahab unto his house wayward and evil apaid, because of the words which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken unto him, saying, "I will not give to thee the inheritance of my fathers." And he laid him down upon his bed and turned away his face, and would eat no meat.

"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house: neither shalt covet thy neighbor's wife, his manservant, his maid, his ox, his ass or ought that is his."

'Thou shalt not lust after thy neighbour's wife: thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, field, servant, maid, ox, ass nor ought that is thy neighbour's.'

But yet the children of Israel trespassed in the excommunicate things: for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah of the tribe of Judah, took of the excommunicate things. And the wrath of the LORD waxed hot against the children of Israel.

And so king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. And all the world resorted to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. And brought him every man his present, vessels of silver and of gold, and of raiment, harness, sweet odours, horses and mules, year by year.read more.
And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: so that he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he bestowed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem. And the king made silver in Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and Cedar as plenteous as mulberry trees that grow in the valleys.

What shall it profit a man, though he should win all the whole world, if he lose his own soul? Or else, what shall a man give to redeem his soul again withal?

What shall it profit a man, if he should win all the world and lose his own soul? Or else, what shall a man give, to redeem his soul again?

Whosoever will save his life, shall lose it. And whosoever shall lose his life, for my sake, the same shall save it. For what shall it advantage a man, to win the whole world, if he lose himself: or run in damage of himself?

and he said unto them, "Ye are they, which justify yourselves before men: but God knoweth your hearts. For that which is highly esteemed among men is abominable in the sight of God.

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted, and the rich in that he is made low. For even as the flower of the grass shall he vanish away. The sun riseth with heat, and the grass withereth and his flower falleth away, and the beauty of the fashion of it perisheth: even so shall the rich man perish with his abundance.

because thou sayest thou art rich and increased with goods, and hast need of nothing, and knowest not how thou art wretched and miserable, poor, blind, and naked.

And Jesus said unto him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the son of the man hath not whereon to rest his head."

Jesus said unto him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests: but the son of man hath not whereon to lay his head."

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus: Which, being in the shape of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.

Wherefore he said unto them, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness. For no man's life standeth in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."

Moreover, thus sayeth the LORD, "Let not the wise man rejoice in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength; neither the rich man in his riches. But who so will rejoice, let him rejoice in this: that he understandeth, and knoweth me. For I am the LORD, which do mercy, equity and righteousness upon the earth. Therefore have I pleasure in such things, sayeth the LORD."

Therefore I say unto you, be not careful for your life what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what raiment ye shall put on. Is not the life more worth than meat? and the body more of value than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither reap, nor yet carry into the barns, and yet your heavenly father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you, though he took thought therefore, could put one cubit unto his stature?read more.
And why care ye then for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They labor not, neither spin: And yet for all that, I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his royalty, was not arrayed like unto one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow shall be cast into the furnace, shall he not much more do the same unto you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat?' Or. 'What shall we drink?' Or, 'Wherewith shall we be clothed?' After all these things seek the gentiles: For your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with that ye have already. For he verily said, "I will not fail thee, neither forsake thee."

See that ye love not the world, nor the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is in the world - as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of goods - are not of the father: but of the world. And the world vanisheth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God, abideth ever.

Then said Abram unto Lot, "Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between thee and me, and between my herdsmen and thine, for we be brethren. Is not all the whole land before thee? Depart, I pray thee, from me. If thou wilt take the lefthand, I will take the right: or if thou take the righthand I will take the left."

that I will not take of all that is thine, so much as a thread or a shoe latchet, lest thou shouldest say 'I have made Abram rich.'

Then said Peter, "Silver and gold have I none: such as I have, give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."

And the multitude of them that believed, were of one heart; And of one soul. Also, none of them said that any of the things which he possessed was his own: But had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was with them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked. For as many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them and brought the price of the things that were sold,read more.
and laid it down at the apostles' feet. And distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joseph, which was also called of the apostles Barnabas - that is to say, the son of consolation - being a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, had land, and sold it, and laid the price down at the apostles' feet.

I speak not because of necessity. For I have learned in whatsoever estate I am, therewith to be content. I can both cast down myself, I can also exceed. Everywhere, and in all things I am instructed, both to be full, and to be hungry: to have plenty, and to suffer need.