Rich, The

Concept

Scripture's treatment of wealth is not uniformly negative — Abraham, Job, David, and Solomon were wealthy, and riches are sometimes described as a blessing from God (Deut. 8:18; Prov. 10:22). However, the OT prophets repeatedly condemn the exploitation of the poor by the rich (Amos 2:6–7; Isa. 5:8; Mic. 2:1–2), and Proverbs warns that riches are precarious and can lead the heart away from God (Prov. 11:28; 30:8–9).

Jesus's teaching is the sharpest in Scripture: "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God" (Matt. 19:24). The rich young ruler's departure illustrates the danger of wealth as a rival lord. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31) depicts reversal in eternity. Paul does not condemn wealth per se but warns of the love of money as a root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim. 6:10) and instructs the rich to be generous, storing up treasure for the age to come (1 Tim. 6:17–19). James warns the rich who oppress workers and live in self-indulgence (James 5:1–6).