Hoarding is often driven by fear, greed, or a lack of trust in God’s provision. The Bible encourages us to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, to be generous, and to trust in the Lord for our daily needs. Below are Bible verses that address hoarding and how we should approach our possessions with a godly mindset.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Secrets
Trusting God Over Possessions
Many people hoard because they fear not having enough. However, the Bible teaches us to trust in God rather than store up excessive wealth. He is our provider, and He knows our needs. Accumulating possessions without faith in God can lead to spiritual emptiness.
Matthew 6:19-21
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
Proverbs 11:28
“Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.”
1 Timothy 6:17
“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.”
Psalm 62:10
“Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.”
Luke 12:15
“Then he said, ‘Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.'”
Hoarding Leads to Destruction
Hoarding wealth and possessions can lead to spiritual ruin. The Bible warns against greed, selfishness, and trusting in material things rather than in God.
James 5:2-3
“Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment.”
Ecclesiastes 5:13
“There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver.”
Luke 12:20-21
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Proverbs 15:27
“Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live.”
Habakkuk 2:6
“But soon their captives will taunt them. They will mock them, saying, ‘What sorrow awaits you thieves! Now you will get what you deserve! You’ve become rich by extortion, but how much longer can this go on?’”
God Calls Us to Generosity
Instead of hoarding, God calls us to be generous. When we give, we reflect His love and trust that He will continue to provide for our needs.
Proverbs 11:24-25
“Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”
Luke 6:38
“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
“Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’”
Acts 20:35
“And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
1 John 3:17
“If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?”
Storing Treasures in Heaven
Instead of hoarding earthly possessions, we are encouraged to store up treasures in heaven. This means investing in things that have eternal value—like loving others, serving God, and doing good.
Matthew 6:20
“Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.”
Colossians 3:2
“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”
1 Timothy 6:18-19
“Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”
Luke 12:33
“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.”
Hebrews 13:5
“Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Stealing
Greed and Hoarding Are Sinful
Greed and hoarding often stem from a heart that is not content with God’s provision. The Bible warns against accumulating wealth selfishly and placing material things above God.
1 Corinthians 6:10
“Thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusive people, and cheaters will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
Proverbs 28:22
“Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.”
Colossians 3:5
“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.”
Ephesians 5:5
“You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.”
Micah 2:1-2
“What sorrow awaits you who lie awake at night thinking up evil plans. You rise at dawn and hurry to carry them out, simply because you have the power to do so. When you want a piece of land, you find a way to seize it. When you want someone’s house, you take it by fraud and violence. You cheat a man of his property, stealing his family’s inheritance.”
God Provides for His People
Instead of hoarding, we should trust in God’s provision. He promises to supply our needs when we seek Him first.
Philippians 4:19
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
Matthew 6:31-33
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Psalm 37:25
“Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.”
Hebrews 13:6
“So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?’”
Deuteronomy 8:18
“Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.”
Using Wealth for God’s Glory
Wealth is not inherently bad, but it should be used to honor God, bless others, and further His Kingdom rather than hoarded selfishly.
1 Timothy 6:10
“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”
Proverbs 3:9-10
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.”
Luke 16:9
“Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.”
2 Corinthians 8:13-14
“Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.”
Matthew 19:21
“Jesus told him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’”