Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Material Things?

11 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Material Things in the Bible

Explore what the Bible says about material things. This collection of 14 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.

11
Total Verses
1
Old Testament
10
New Testament

Top 10 Verses About Material Things

  1. 1
    Proverbs 19:1
    Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
    KJV
  2. 2
    Matthew 6:1
    Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. alms: or, righteousness of your: or, with your
    KJV
  3. 3
    Matthew 6:19
    Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
    KJV
  4. 4
    Matthew 6:24
    No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
    KJV
  5. 5
    Matthew 6:31
    Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
    KJV
  6. 6
    Matthew 6:33
    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
    KJV
  7. 7
    Matthew 16:26
    For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
    KJV
  8. 8
    Luke 6:38
    Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
    KJV
  9. 9
    Luke 12:15
    And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
    KJV
  10. 10
    Luke 12:33
    Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
    KJV

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Material Things? (1 Verses)

Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Material Things? (10 Verses)

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. alms: or, righteousness of your: or, with your
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

How to Study What the Bible Says About Material Things

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about material things. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about material things and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about material things is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on material things needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about material things with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about material things, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Material Things?

You have studied 11 verses about material things. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about material things?
Explore what the Bible says about material things. This collection of 14 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme. The Bible contains 11 key verses about material things spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about material things are there?
There are 11 key Bible verses about material things compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about material things?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about material things is Proverbs 19:1 — "Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool."
Where in the Bible does it talk about material things?
Material Things is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 11 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

Continue Studying Material Things