11 Bible Verses About Detachment

Detachment is a way of life to which Christians are called: detachment from material possessions, money, daily worries, or concerns about the future. In contrast to detachment, there is the trust to which God calls us. Join Hozana in exploring 11 Bible passages and verses about detachment, which can also be associated with selflessness or renunciation.

11 Biblical Teachings on Detachment

4 Old Testament Teachings on Detachment

1. "The Lord had said to Abram, 'Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.' So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran." (Genesis 12:1-4)

2. "So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. 'Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,' he said, 'and then I will come with you.' 'Go back,' Elijah replied. 'What have I done to you?'" (1 Kings 19:19-20)

3. "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." (Job 1:21)

4. "Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them." (Psalm 62:10)

7 New Testament Teachings on Detachment

5. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20)

6. "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. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:24-26)

7. "Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. These were his instructions: 'Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts.'" (Mark 6:7-8)

8. "Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One thing you lack,' he said. 'Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" (Mark 10:21)

9. "When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: 'Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.'" (Luke 9:1-3)

10. "Then he said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'" (Luke 12:15)

11. "On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot's wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it." (Luke 17:31-33)

With Hozana, Let's Learn Detachment

In our Christian life, let's learn to detach ourselves more and more, whether from human, material, or financial concerns. It is with and in Christ that we can achieve this.

To this end, Hozana offers several communities, such as:

• Communities for daily prayer with the Gospel

• This program to read the Bible with a daily annotated gospel passage

• This novena to the Holy Spirit

Frequently Asked Questions About Detachment in the Bible

Why should we detach ourselves from material things?
An excessive attachment to worldly goods leads us to place our trust in transient things—money, power, technology—and to pursue empty desires rather than trusting in God. The risk is falling into idolatry.

What does Jesus say about freeing ourselves from attachments?
In John 12, Jesus says:
"Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life." (John 12:24-25)

Which verse speaks about attachment to God?
Psalm 63 expresses attachment to God, particularly this verse:
"I cling to you; your right hand upholds me." (Psalm 63:8)