A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a Godshaped
life is a flourishing tree.—Proverbs 11:28

The rich can be sued for everything they have, but the
poor are free of such threats.—Proverbs 13:8

Better to be poor and honest than a rich person no one
can trust.—Proverbs 19:1

“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten
by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by
burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe
from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it?
The place where your treasure is, is the place you will
most want to be, and end up being.”—Matthew 6:19-21

Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He
said, “There’s one thing left: Go sell whatever you own
and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be
heavenly wealth. And come follow me.”
The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing
he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy
heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and
not about to let go.
Looking at his disciples, Jesus said, “Do you have
any idea how difficult it is for people who ‘have it all’ to
enter God’s kingdom?”—Mark 10:21-23

“Life is not defined by what you have, even when you
have a lot.”—Luke 12:15

“Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new
house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so
you’ll know if you can complete it?”—Luke 14:28

Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be
relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll
never let you down, never walk off and leave you.”
—Hebrews 13:5

A final word to you arrogant rich: Take some lessons in
lament. You’ll need buckets for the tears when the crash
comes upon you. Your money is corrupt and your fine
clothes stink. Your greedy luxuries are a cancer in your
gut, destroying your life from within. You thought you
were piling up wealth. What you’ve piled up is judgment.—
James 5:1-3

The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on
the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set
for eternity.—1 John 2:17

If you see some brother or sister in need and have the
means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder
and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears.
And you made it disappear.—1 John 3:17