What are some Bible verses about treasure?
The Bible has a lot to say about treasure, both earthly and heavenly. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible verses about treasure:
Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
This famous passage warns against storing up temporary earthly treasures and calls us to invest instead in eternal heavenly treasures. Our heart’s desires are tied to where we place our treasure.
Matthew 13:44
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
This parable depicts the kingdom of God as supremely valuable hidden treasure that’s worth sacrificing everything to possess.
Proverbs 2:4
“If you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures…”
This verse encourages us to passionately pursue wisdom and knowledge of God like seeking rare and precious treasure.
Psalm 119:72
“The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”
The Psalmist expresses that God’s word is the greatest treasure to Him, worth more than any earthly riches.
Proverbs 10:2
“Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.”
This warns that ill-gotten gain and treasures rooted in evil will not truly benefit us and lead only to spiritual death.
Matthew 6:21
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
This succinct verse teaches that what we invest in and value most reveals what has captured our heart’s supreme affections.
James 5:2-3
“Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.”
This passage warns those who hoard earthly treasure of God’s coming judgment, when their worthless treasures will testify against them.
Colossians 2:2-3
“…that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Paul describes the supreme treasure is knowing Christ, in whom all wisdom and knowledge is found.
Luke 12:33-34
“Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Jesus commands us to treasure heavenly rewards by generously giving to those in need. Eternal treasure in heaven never fades.
Matthew 13:52
“Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”
This describes a disciple of Christ who understands the treasures of God’s kingdom contained throughout Scripture, both Old and New Testaments.
2 Corinthians 4:7
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
Though fragile and imperfect, followers of Christ carry the priceless treasure of the gospel and God’s power working through them.
Proverbs 15:6
“In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.”
A life of righteousness and obedience to God brings lasting treasure, while ill-gotten gain brings trouble.
Proverbs 15:16
“Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.”
Having the treasure of a right relationship with God is better than having all the treasures of the world but lacking the fear of the Lord.
Psalm 135:4
“For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession.”
This verse declares God’s people are His treasured possession, which He values above all else.
Matthew 6:20
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
A concise call to invest not in temporal possessions but in eternal heavenly rewards.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.”
This verse warns that earthly treasure and never brings contentment, but only desiring more.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”
Paul instructs the wealthy to not find their security in riches but in God, and to use their means generously for eternal treasure.
Revelation 3:18
“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.”
Writing to the lukewarm church in Laodicea, Christ encourages investing in refined spiritual gold from Him rather than earthly riches.
Matthew 13:45-46
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
Another parable likening the kingdom of God to a priceless treasure that deserves our total investment.
Proverbs 3:13-14
“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.”
The treasure of godly wisdom yields eternal riches far more valuable than silver and gold.
Psalm 16:5-6
“Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”
The Psalmist treasures God as His beautiful inheritance rather than earthly possessions.
Proverbs 8:10-11
“Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.”
Wisdom is personified as the greatest treasure anyone could desire, far above any earthly riches.
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
We cannot treasure both God and earthly possessions – only one can be our master.
2 Corinthians 4:18
“…as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
Paul reminds us that earthly treasures are fleeting, but heavenly treasures last for eternity.
Proverbs 21:20
“Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.”
A wise person saves and multiplied treasure, while a fool quickly squanders it.
Matthew 13:44
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
This parable depicts the immense value of God’s kingdom as being worth sacrificing everything to possess.
Ecclesiastes 2:26
“For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.”
This passage contrasts the treasure of a right relationship with God versus the emptiness of living for earthly accumulation.
Proverbs 15:17
“Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.”
Companionship is a greater treasure than having wealth surrounded by strife and hatred.
Isaiah 33:6
“…he will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”
Fearing and revering God is the key to unlocking the greatest treasure – salvation and true wisdom.
Matthew 13:47-48
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.”
A parable about separating eternal treasure from worthless things on judgement day.
1 Timothy 6:7
“For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.”
No earthly treasure can follow us beyond this life into eternity.
James 2:5
“Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?”
While poor in earthly means, followers of Christ possess the eternal treasure of His kingdom.
Matthew 6:2
“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
Giving to the needy to be honored by others provides only temporary earthly treasure.
Proverbs 23:23
“Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”
We should highly value and invest in the treasures of godly truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
Colossians 2:3
“In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
All the treasures of wisdom are hidden in Christ. He is the greatest treasure we can ever pursue.
Psalm 119:14
“In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.”
The Psalmist delights in the treasure of God’s word as much as any earthly riches.
Proverbs 11:4
“Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.”
Storing up earthly treasure will not help on judgement day. Only righteousness through Christ delivers eternal life.
Ezekiel 28:4
“…by your great wisdom in your trade you have increased your wealth, and your heart has become proud in your wealth.”
A warning against prideful confidence in one’s own wisdom and accumulated treasures.
Job 36:18-19
“Beware lest wrath entice you into scoffing, and let not the greatness of the ransom turn you aside. Will your cry for help avail to keep you from distress, or all the force of your strength?”
No amount of earthly treasure can ransom someone from God’s judgment.
Proverbs 24:4
“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”
Godly wisdom and knowledge fill a house with enduring spiritual treasures.
Mark 10:21
“And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.””
Christ urged the rich young ruler to trade earthly treasures for heavenly ones by generously serving the poor rather than being enslaved to his possessions.
1 Timothy 6:9
“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”
Desiring earthly riches leads only to temptation, harm, and spiritual destruction.
Proverbs 27:24
“For riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations?”
All earthly treasures are temporary and passing, unlike the eternal riches of God’s kingdom.
Ecclesiastes 5:19
“Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.”
The ability to enjoy earthly treasures comes from God, but are not to replace Him as our supreme treasure.
Matthew 19:21
“Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.””
Again Christ calls his followers to trade earthly possessions for heavenly rewards by serving the poor.
Luke 12:15-21
“And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
The parable of the rich fool warns against finding life meaning in accumulating possessions rather than in treasuring a relationship with God.
Hebrews 11:26
“He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.”
Moses valued the treasures of knowing and serving Christ more than the riches of Egypt.
Psalm 49:16-17
“Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.”
A warning not to fear or covet the earthly riches of others that cannot follow them beyond the grave.
Proverbs 13:22
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.”
It is better to leave a spiritual inheritance of righteousness rather than hoarded up riches that will benefit no one.
1 Peter 1:3-4
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”
Our eternal inheritance as believers is the imperishable heavenly treasure reserved for us.