Proverbs 23:5

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Cross-references

Proverbs 27:24 directly states: riches are not forever — a parallel warning about their transience.

Proverbs 30:8 asks for neither poverty nor riches, reinforcing the wisdom of not relying on fleeting wealth.

Psalm 39:6 Parallel

Psalm 39:6 echoes the futility: heaping up riches, not knowing who will gather them — like riches flying away.

Job 1:14-17 illustrates this: Job's wealth suddenly destroyed by disasters — riches fly away like an eagle.

James 5:2 Parallel

In James 5:2, riches rot and garments are moth-eaten — similarly depicting wealth's perishability and decay, reinforcing the warning against trusting in it.

Ecclesiastes 5:14 shows riches perishing by evil travail, leaving nothing — a direct illustration of taking wings.

1 Timothy 6:17 calls riches 'uncertain' — the same instability as wings that fly away.

1 Corinthians 7:29-31 reinforces the fleeting nature of possessions — the world is passing away, just as riches take wings.

Matthew 6:19 warns against earthly treasures that can be destroyed or stolen — akin to riches flying away.

Psalm 49:6 Parallel

In Psalm 49:6, people trust in wealth — directly parallels the folly of relying on fleeting riches.

Psalm 62:10 Parallel

In Psalm 62:10, do not set your heart on riches — echoes the same warning that wealth is unreliable.

Ecclesiastes 5:11 notes that increased goods bring no real benefit—parallel to riches sprouting wings and flying away.

Jeremiah 17:11 says unjustly gained riches will desert the owner—directly mirroring the image of riches flying away like an eagle.

Luke 16:9 Related theme

In Luke 16:9, Jesus advises using worldly wealth to gain eternal friends, acknowledging its temporary nature — a practical application.

Luke 12:19 Parallel

In Luke 12:19, the rich fool's sudden loss of his soul illustrates how riches fly away unexpectedly — a vivid parallel.

1 John 2:16 Parallel

1 John 2:16 lists the pride of life and lust of the eyes as worldly desires that pass away, like riches that fly away.

Jeremiah 22:17 condemns those whose eyes are set on dishonest gain, contrasting the fleeting riches here with sinful pursuit.

Isaiah 55:2 Parallel

Isaiah 55:2 echoes the warning: money spent on what doesn't satisfy is futile — like riches that fly away.

Mark 4:19 Related theme

In Mark 4:19, the cares and deceitfulness of riches choke the word — same parallel warning about wealth's peril.

Matthew 13:22 Related theme

In Matthew 13:22, the deceitfulness of riches chokes the word — a specific warning about the danger of wealth, similar to the fleeting nature here.

Psalm 119:37 Related theme

Psalm 119:37 prays to turn eyes from worthless things, similar to not fixing on riches that fly away.

Psalm 119:36 Related theme

Psalm 119:36 asks God to turn the heart from selfish gain, aligning with the fleeting nature of riches described here.

Mark 10:24 Related theme

In Mark 10:24, Jesus warns against trusting in riches — a related danger, though focusing on trust rather than transience.

Luke 12:15 Related theme

In Luke 12:15, Jesus warns against covetousness, echoing the theme that life is not about possessions — similar caution.

Colossians 3:2 Related theme

In Colossians 3:2, Paul urges setting minds on heavenly things — a parallel exhortation to not focus on fleeting riches.