In our culture, the increase of material things has resulted in the increase of materialism. Jack Taylor, in his book God’s Miraculous Plan of Economy, reports that “…at the beginning of the 20th century the average American wanted 72 things and considered 18 of them important. Fifty years later the want list had risen to 496 of which 96 were considered necessary to happiness.”
Is accumulating wealth a sin? Perhaps, the real question is, “Why do you want to accumulate wealth?” Yes, it is a matter of the heart, not necessarily how much is in your Amazon cart! It is not money that is evil; it is the love of money that is denounced (1 Tim 6:10). Why? It is an issue of the heart; an issue of Lordship (Luke 16:13). If money becomes an idol, it stands in the place that only God should stand, and like all idols, it leaves us empty!
Sinful materialism can be defined as “a selfish desire to possess an excess of things solely for the sake of possessing them.” Its opposite, biblical simplicity, can be defined as “a desire to possess less things mainly for the sake of giving more.” To produce more can be seen as having the ability to give more: “He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need” (Eph 4:28). I can be motivated to have less luxury so that I can have more to give to others’ needs. Maybe it’s all about the option of “your abundance being a supply for their need…” (2 Cor 8:14).
 
The erroneous “hyper-prosperity theology” teaching tends to produce only a half-truth. God never just blesses. He is not flippant. He is a God of mission. He blesses for a purpose and that purpose always looks to achieve His desires, do His will, and promote His glory. It is actually all about Him and not all about us! We may see Him as our Santa Clause, but He sees Himself as God. And so, He funnels blessings. He does not tunnel them, burying them in the ground (Matt 25:25-27). Therefore, “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). When people justify their luxurious living by saying, “It is a blessing from God,” they may be expressing a half-truth. Yet, they may miss out on an opportunity since “it is more blessed….”
 
The disease of materialism can be extremely debilitating and dangerous: “But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction” (1 Tim 6:9-10). One answer to, “Is accumulating wealth a sin?” may simply be that we should always look to protect ourselves from extreme forms of temptation and deception (Matt 13:22).
 
And so, is accumulating wealth a sin? Money, in and of itself, is not inherently evil but we should check our hearts regarding the “Why” of accumulating wealth, consider the alternative lifestyles we could lead, and be aware of the dangers we need to avoid.

Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:13

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Luke 16:13

Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.  Ephesians 4:28

At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality...  2 Corinthians 8:14

His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.  Matthew 25:26

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. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  1 Timothy 6:9-10

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. Matthew 13:22

A thorough investigation of the biblical view of money with a focus on giving and stewardship. Special attention will be given to a natural ministerial outworking of a biblical theology of money; that is, a study of the nature and practice of the biblical mandate to help the needy.

Managing God’s Money
Randy Alcorn

Prosperity? Seeking the True Gospel
Ken Mbugua, Michael Maura, John Piper, Wayne Grudem & Conrad Mbewe

Legacy Podcast
Ps. Jesse Eisenhart & Ps. Erich Eisenhart