What is a Christian view of materialism?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

A Christian view of materialism teaches that while possessions are not inherently wrong, they must never be placed above our love and devotion to God. The Bible consistently warns that wealth is temporary and cannot provide lasting fulfillment or meaning. Both Old and New Testament passages emphasize that true joy and purpose come from seeking God and obeying His commands. Materialism can subtly deceive us and choke out our spiritual growth if we are not vigilant. Therefore, Christians are called to evaluate their priorities and pursue God’s kingdom over the accumulation of wealth. When we are tempted to covet material possessions or accept a materialistic mindset, we must remember that “life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (Luke 12:15).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• If we consider material wealth more important than our love for Christ, we would be wise to realize that this is a conflicting issue, since we are called to "love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" (Deuteronomy 6:5).
• In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon was not satisfied in all his wealth and found that it was ultimately meaningless. Despite being the richest king in the world and having everything he could desire at his fingertips, he wrote: "He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
• Solomon knew that wealth couldn’t provide happiness forever. It cannot fill our soul with joy like God can. As a man who experienced vast wealth and the finest of material things, Solomon concluded his quest for life's meaning saying this: "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Matthew 6:19 reminds us that earthly treasures are destroyed by moth and rust and can be stolen by thieves. God Himself is the only one who can sustain us and cause fruit to grow in our lives. The Bible states that our fulfillment is in God, and we cannot be satisfied by wealth or possessions.
• The Bible states in Matthew 6:33 that we are to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." This is the general rule that teaches Christians how we are to respond to materialism. We must seek to be content with what we have and place God before all the things we own.
• Jesus preached that loving God above all else is the first and greatest commandment for God's people (Matthew 22:37–38). This means that our hearts should reflect God's character and love for others. If our material possessions are in the way of us loving God with all our hearts and reflecting Him to others, then we should put away our possessions.
• Mark 4:19 talks about the deceitfulness of wealth; it can choke out the Word of God that is sown in a person's life. We as believers must also be careful about acquiring and caring for material things because Satan loves to tell us that we will be happy once we have wealth. When we begin placing emphasis on gaining material wealth, we risk buying into the lie that material things can bring us fulfillment or meaning.
• Jesus told a crowd, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (Luke 12:15). Our possessions do not provide true meaning to our life, only God can. Instead of chasing after material possessions, we should invest in our relationship with God.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Merriam-Webster defines materialism as "a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values." A preoccupation with anything that takes precedence over God is wrong for a Christian. Christians can certainly have material things and enjoy them, but an obsession with accumulating and caring for possessions is a slippery slope. If we place our worth in our wealth then we will only be met with meaninglessness, and if we have an obsession with anything above our love for Christ, we are acting in a way that is displeasing to Him. Ultimately, Christians should view materialism in a critical light, quick to prioritize God above possessions that will ultimately be destroyed (Matthew 6:19).

Instead, Christian should see the material goods they have as a gift from God and opportunity for serving God and others, not as a source of identity or security. When we prioritize generosity over accumulation, we reflect God’s character and invest in eternal things rather than temporary comforts. Whether through giving to the church, blessing and helping those in need, supporting missions, or using our homes and possessions to bless others, we can honor God with what we have. This requires a heart check to ensure we are not owned by our wealth but are willing to release it for God’s purposes. By seeking first God’s kingdom and holding loosely to material things, we find joy in using our resources to make an eternal impact.

UNDERSTAND

• Material things are not inherently wrong, but they must never come before our love and obedience to God.
• Wealth is temporary and deceptive, offering no lasting fulfillment—true joy and purpose come from seeking God and obeying His Word.
• Christians are called to use their resources to serve God and others, prioritizing eternal values over earthly possessions.

REFLECT

• What is your relationship to material, earthly goods, and are there any possessions or comforts in your life that you struggle to hold loosely before God?
• When you feel discontent or dissatisfied, how can you seek fulfillment through deepening your relationship with God instead of material things?
• How can you better align your financial choices with your desire to seek first God’s kingdom?

ENGAGE

• Why is materialism such a subtle and common temptation, even among believers?
• How can we help one another live with open hands, using what we have to serve God and others rather than storing it up for ourselves?
• What practices or habits can we as believers adopt to keep our focus on eternal values instead of being pulled into a materialistic mindset?