Materialism and The Great Awakening
For many Americans, the internal revolution was sparked by the revivals of the Great Awakening that began to spread across the colonies in waves during the early decades of the 18th century.  Many of the New Light preachers emphasized the parts of the Bible that focused on those who put love of wealth ahead of God and who were ungenerous with their fellow man.  Below are two quotes from Great Awakening preachers followed by the kinds of Biblical passages that these preachers were likely to use in their sermons.

New Light Minister, James Davenport:
    “The very near approach of the end of the world...In a very short time all these things will be involv’d in devouring flames…People ought not to regard or attend the preaching of unconverted ministers; [I am] well assured the greater part of the ministers in the country were such...[If ones parents or masters were not converted, Davenport urged] All the prohibitions and commands of parents and masters not to adhere to them, and attend their religious exercises, meetings, etc. were in no wise to be obeyed…[On the laws of government] The laws of the made or about to be made…all such laws ought to be disregarded, and were against the laws of GOD.”

Quaker, Ebenezer Benezet:
    “The great rock against which our society has dashed is the love of the world & the deceitfulness of riches, the desire of amassing wealth…. I cannot look upon the love of the world & giving away to desire for riches as a pardonable frailty but rather esteem it a depearture from the divine life, which must either kill all religion in the Soul, or be itself killed, by it.”

 James 5:1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. 3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

 Luke3:11 - He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. 13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. 14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. 1 John 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  1 Timothy 6:9  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

 Matthew 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.  25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible