Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
Summary: Wanting wealth is not bad in itself, but there is great danger in putting our hope in material things.
The problem with the word “rich” is that it doesn’t mean the same to everyone. For some people it means having some jingle in your pocket after all the bills are paid. For others it means having more money than they will ever be able to spend… ever! If you look the word “rich” up in the dictionary,* all it says is “a large amount of money.” How much is that supposed to be?
So how does a person know when they finally arrive?
I suspect that is the “trap” that Paul is talking about. Since no one can agree on what it means to be rich, the goalposts keep moving.
It is not the only trap, however.
Jesus tells the story of a man who thought he had it made (Luke 12:15-21). Like most people of his day, he was a land owner who depended on his fields for food. One year, he had an “abundant harvest,” resulting in more food than he had room for. In his mind, he was rich beyond measure.
Looking at all the grain he had taken in, he thought, “Now I have it made! I can kick back and relax. I have nothing to worry about.” (My paraphrase.)
The God said, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”
That is the sound of ruin and destruction.
The problem wasn’t that the man had acquired wealth. Many people acquire wealth.† The problem was his reaction to having wealth. Instead of realizing that he was a steward of God’s gifts, he assumed that great wealth means great security.
And that is the trap that “plunge(s) people into ruin and destruction.” Don’t let it happen to you!
Application: Keep your eyes on Jesus, the source of true riches.
Food for Thought: What is the difference between someone who is rich and someone who wants to be rich?
*Online dictionary, July 23, 2026.
†See Matthew 25:14-30
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