“Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them.” Psalm 49:16-17

The Bible nowhere condemns the rich for being rich, nor does it say that money, wealth, or ownership of property are evil. In fact, many of the key figures in the Bible were very wealthy and powerful by the world’s standards. Genesis 13:2 tell us that Abraham had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold. And his grandson Jacob, who because of a conflict with his brother Esau had to flee from home with nothing to his name, “grew exceedingly prosperous” (Genesis 30:43) as he pursued God’s plan for his life. King Solomon “was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth” (2 Chronicles 9:22). It is estimated that in today’s dollars Solomon’s net worth was more than $100 billion.

The Bible does not condemn wealth, but it does say we are accountable to God for whatever wealth he allows us to have. The Apostle Paul warned that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10), and Jesus said we “cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24). We should not make the accumulation of wealth (earthly treasure) our goal, but instead Jesus said our driving motivation in life should be to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).

Today’s verse shows that earthly wealth is temporary, but if we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, using all that we have—our money, time, talents, and energy— to serve his purposes, Jesus said the results will be eternal and we will be storing up “treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20).

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).