Open Side Menu Search Icon
    pdf View PDF
    The content displayed below is for educational and archival purposes only.
    Unless stated otherwise, content is © Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania

    You may be able to find the original on wol.jw.org

    Materialism

    Does the Bible condemn money and possessions or those who have them?

    Ec 7:12

    • Relevant Bible account(s):

      • 1Ki 3:11-14​—Jehovah blesses King Solomon with great wealth because of his humble spirit

      • Job 1:1-3, 8-10​—Job is exceptionally wealthy, but he is first and foremost a man of great integrity

    Why does acquiring wealth and possessions not bring satisfaction or peace of mind?

    Pr 23:4, 5; Ec 2:18, 19; 5:10, 12

    In what ways can riches prove to be utterly useless?

    Ps 49:6, 7, 9, 10; Mt 16:26

    What is the chief danger when it comes to money and possessions?

    De 6:10-12; Mt 6:24; 1Ti 6:9, 10

    How can the power of wealth prove deceptive?

    Pr 11:4, 18, 28; 18:11; Mt 13:22

    • Relevant Bible account(s):

      • Ac 8:18-24​—Simon foolishly believes that he can use money to buy privileges in the Christian congregation

    What can the love of money cost us?

    Mt 6:19-21; Lu 17:31, 32

    • Relevant Bible account(s):

      • Mr 10:17-23​—A wealthy young man who is overly attached to his possessions misses out on the privilege of following Jesus

      • 1Ti 6:17-19​—The apostle Paul warns wealthy Christians to avoid arrogance, which can cost them God’s favor

    How can materialism weaken faith and lead to losing God’s favor?

    De 8:10-14; Pr 28:20; 1Jo 2:15-17

    See also Ps 52:6, 7; Am 3:12, 15; 6:4-8

    • Relevant Bible account(s):

      • Job 31:24, 25, 28​—Job clearly sees the danger of putting his confidence in wealth, which amounts to denying God

      • Lu 12:15-21​—Jesus warns against materialism by describing a rich man who is not rich toward God

    How can we find contentment with regard to material possessions?

    Pr 30:8, 9; 1Ti 6:6-8; Heb 13:5

    What kind of treasures outweigh material possessions, and why?

    Pr 3:11, 13-18; 10:22; Mt 6:19-21

    • Relevant Bible account(s):

      • Hag 1:3-11​—Through the prophet Haggai, Jehovah explains that He withholds even material blessings from His people because they have put their own homes and comforts ahead of rebuilding His sacred temple

      • Re 3:14-19​—Jesus rebukes the congregation in Laodicea for putting more value on material wealth than on treasures of service to God

    Why should we trust that Jehovah will provide us with what we need in a material way?

    Ps 37:25; Pr 3:9, 10; Mt 6:25-33