Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 19:23-24 – Wealth and Righteousness: Blessing or Trap?

Episode 244 explores whether wealth is a sign of righteousness or wickedness by examining Old and New Testament passages. Lance Smith argues the Bible presents a nuanced view: wealth can be a blessing or a spiritual danger, and it reveals the condition of the heart rather than serving as a moral scoreboard.

The episode highlights examples from Scripture, explains stewardship and dependence on God, and concludes that wealth is neutral—what matters is how we use it and whom we serve.

References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:

buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page

Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 

1. Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/rich.html 
2. “Wealth and Righteousness,” Ron Blue Institute: https://ronblueinstitute.com/article/wealth-and-righteousness/
3. “A Biblical View of Wealth,” Costi Hinn, For the Gospel: https://www.forthegospel.org/read/a-biblical-view-of-wealth
4. “Are Riches and Righteousness At Odds?,” Institute for Faith, Work & Economics: https://institutefc.org/are-riches-and-righteousness-at-odds/
5. “Wealth and Stewardship: Key Biblical Principles,” Michael W. Austin, Christian Research Institute: https://www.equip.org/articles/wealth-stewardship-key-biblical-principles/
6. “The Danger of Wealth,” Christian Stewardship Network: https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2022/7/7/the-danger-of-wealth
7. “What Does the Bible Say About Wealth and Provision?,” Theology of Work Project: https://www.theologyofwork.org/key-topics/provision-wealth/
8. “Reflections on Wealth and Poverty in the Hebrew Bible,” Joel Kaminsky: https://scholarworks.smith.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=rel_facpubs
9. “The Morality of Wealth,” Ismar Schorsch, Jewish Theological Seminary: https://www.jtsa.edu/torah/the-morality-of-wealth/