Is it wrong to buy a bigger house?

Imagine you’re talking with your non-Christian friend who tells you they have just purchased a new house. They explain that they were fed up of their previous place, which was OK, but with their recent job promotion they could afford to move to a much nicer area.

Really, they explain, they had to move, as you need to live in a particular area if you want to be in the catchment for the best school. At the end of the day, they say, they’ve worked hard, so they deserve it. So, they went to a mortgage broker, found out the maximum they could borrow with their partner, and signed on the dotted line for the biggest mortgage they could. The new house feels perfect, and it will be such a good investment that provides security for the future and gives them a better life now.

This conversation feels familiar, doesn’t it? Many of us will have had similar (if not identical) conversations with friends, family or colleagues. And often we are tempted to think in the same way, viewing the next step on the property ladder as a right which will enable us to live happier, fulfilling, more spacious lives. So how do we connect with this conversation in a biblical way?

As with all things, I think it’s important to engage with this question through four biblical ideas: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and New Creation.

Creation

Our doctrine of Creation should remind us that God wants us to enjoy and oversee his beautiful world – not to hide in a hovel and moan about others outside. Our generous God has made us and placed us in his beautiful world and has given us good gifts to enjoy and use to bring him glory.

This means that a lovely home can be a blessing to be enjoyed – great!

Fall

Beware of how easily our hearts deceive us as we live in this beautiful but broken world. The fall means that we are easily tempted to look for satisfaction, security, and hope in fleeting things that won’t last and can’t deliver on promises.

Our sinful hearts often reframe our decisions to make them sound godly.  For example, in our question of buying a bigger house, you could decide on a particular house, then come up with some great justifications as to why it would be brilliant for Christian ministry.

A lovely home can be very satisfying, but things will break and not feel as good as you’d hoped. Keep reminding yourself that only Jesus provides real, full satisfaction. And beware of becoming a slave to debt by over-borrowing, which then restricts your freedom to give generously.

Redemption

As Christians, we are called to continue Christ’s work, being distinctive and valuing accountability. So, when considering a new house, we need to ask ourselves if we are continuing Jesus’ urgent work with where we choose to live.

Ask yourself:

• Can I live nearer to church, provide more hospitality, and deepen relationships?
• Should I be moving at all, if I risk losing existing relationships with neighbours?
• Would I have to move church?

Be clear with why you’re moving. Is it just because in our culture people get bigger houses in nicer places as they get older? Be on your guard!

As we are called to be distinctive, could this be an opportunity to demonstrate different priorities to your non-Christian friends? Discuss with a trusted Christian friend who will challenge you with questions like these.

New Creation

Remember: the best is yet to come! We are called to be strangers in this world, so don’t get comfortable. Comfort is the big danger for the rich, and if you’re buying a home, you’re rich. This world is not our home, so don’t be tempted to place your security in it.

In conclusion, is it wrong to buy a bigger house? No, not necessarily. As with all decisions, we need to be those who are prayerful, considered, distinctive, and accountable. Weigh up your motives, challenge yourself where you are tempted to put your hope in the things of this world, and remember that only Jesus can provide security and satisfy our needs.

This blog is based on a seminar delivered by Kingdom Bank CEO Paul Houghton, at the 2025 Keswick Convention – How does salvation shape the way we spend?

Kingdom Bank does not provide financial advice. Please seek independent financial advice when structuring your finances.