Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Possessions?

6 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Possessions in the Bible

What does the Bible say about possessions? Browse 12 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme.

6
Total Verses
1
Old Testament
5
New Testament

Top 6 Verses About Possessions

  1. 1
    Malachi 3:17
    And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. jewels: or, special treasure
    KJV
  2. 2
    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
  3. 3
    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
  4. 4
    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
  5. 5
    Acts 4:32
    And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
    KJV
  6. 6
    Acts 20:35
    I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
    KJV

Subtopics of Possessions

earthly possessions
material possessions

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

And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. jewels: or, special treasure

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Possessions? (5 Verses)

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
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.
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

How to Study What the Bible Says About Possessions

  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 possessions. 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 possessions 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 possessions 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 possessions needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about possessions 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 possessions, 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 Possessions?

You have studied 6 verses about possessions. 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 possessions?
What does the Bible say about possessions? Browse 12 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme. The Bible contains 6 key verses about possessions spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about possessions are there?
There are 6 key Bible verses about possessions compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about possessions?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about possessions is Malachi 3:17 — "And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that servet..."
Where in the Bible does it talk about possessions?
Possessions is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 6 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

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