Is It Ok For Christians To Be Rich
Is it ok for Christians to be rich? God does tell us that we are not to be lovers of money. He says we cannot serve both God and money. He also clearly tells us not to worry about having things but instead to seek Him first and all that we need will be provided for us. I believe that while we should not be lovers of money it is ok if we have money.
Job - Job was the greatest of all the people of the east (Job 1:3). God allowed him to be tempted and tried by Satan, having everything destroyed. After his trials had passed God gave him twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10).
Joseph – Pharaoh set him over all the land of Egypt at age 30 (Genesis 41:43-46).
Solomon – He had riches far above and king before or after him (2 Chron 1:12-13)
Kings of Israel – The many kings of Israel… Some were good, some were bad but of course they were all wealthy.
And of course there are many other examples we could us to show that many great men of God in the bible had great wealth.
God never condemns anyone for having wealth. Instead he lays blame on the hearts of those who allow their wealth to interfere with God’s will. That is what we must guard ourselves against. Consider Luke 18:18-29 when the rich ruler asked what he must do to be saved. Jesus eventually told him to sell everything and give it to the poor. Jesus told him this because He knew it was the one thing he was holding in his heart above the Lord. And the rich ruler could not give up his riches.
My thoughts on having money are these. If God blesses us with financial gain it is our responsibility to be good stewards of His money. If you feel that you lack a good financial understanding you should consider looking over some of Dave Ramsey’s materials (not related). We need to be careful that we do not become dependent on having money instead of being dependent on God. He is our portion and provider. We need to wage war against the desires of the flesh – greed, envy, lust. We cannot take our money with us when we die. We must be eternally minded while we live on this earth.
This is so true and from the hear…I was just messaging you on twitter before I came here to give you my opinion and having read verses before…it is okay. But you have to be humble following our Lord. You have to use that money for good…and be very giving…you have to not be fearful if you lost it tomorrow, as for you have Jesus-and that is all we need! He is our wealth. If He takes it away for some purpose-such as strengthening or trials…then you need to be open with faith and obedience. Know He has better plans. And if you still have that money-and are that giving person Jesus loves…be willing to drop it if He were to ask you to…and carry that cross-serve Him. and always remember the great day will come soon-when all of that “stuff” will be gone-but our Lord and Savior will come for us, again…and reign forever! No money needed! Praise Him…I enjoy love over money any day!
GOd bless you all-keep your focus on Him…whether wealthy or not! He has reasons for everything!
In His Love,
Hetty Siebens
http://familyfromchrist.blogspot.com/
yip, that’s it. I just struggle to understand why some people have so little yet they are responsible with what they have got so you would expect them to be rewarded cos doesn’t good stewardship bring more of what you are a good steward of?
Rich Christians don’t bother me. Stingy rich Christians do.
My father earned significant wealth as a result of success in business — but when he died his resources were merely moderate. To a great extent this was because of his generosity … he freely loaned, gave as people needed, gave to worthy organizations, tithed to his church, etc.
And I must say, as a result he was probably much happier than the vast majority of (stingy) rich Christians I know.
I work for a large Christian nonprofit, and the appalling thing I have learned is that during times of financial trouble (such as the recent crisis), many of our major donors stop giving or restrict their giving, whereas many of our normal “mom & pop” donors continue giving normally.
Those who have the ability to give sometimes are too stingy. Love of money.
Sure, you can be rich. Just be aware that you remember it comes with terrible temptation.
“The whole case for Christianity is that a man who is dependent upon the luxuries of this life is a corrupt man, spiritually corrupt, politically corrupt, financially corrupt. There is one thing that Christ and all the Christian saints have said with a sort of savage monotony. They have said simply that to be rich is to be in peculiar danger of moral wreck.” – GK Chesterton
Key word being ‘dependent’ upon the luxuries of this life. Christian history is full of those, like Nicholas and Francis of Assisi, who excelled by giving away or renouncing their riches as well.
It’s ok to have money so long as you are willing to live without it. but where does Jesus tell us to be concerned about the future and store up our wealth for another day?
I am with a VERY small non-profit. Part of that has been my own fault by believing that the less money you have the more righteous you are. Who told me that lie from Hell? That is certainly not what the Bible teaches and shame on me for ever listening to those who teach otherwise.
YES, it is OK for Christians to be rich. I wish there were more of them (with their hearts in the right place).
Yes, it is very good for Christians to be rich. We need more in times like this, more that are first givers.
This post is right down my alley.
I’ve been considering the question of Christians and money. Especially in our current climate.
I wonder what you think of an idea I have read in a book by Richard Foster; that money needs to be control by us but actually has a spirit all of it’s own that seeks to do the controlling?
You can read more here if you are interested. I’d appreciate your comments.
http://www.threedays.co.uk/2009/05/18/serving-unrighteous-mammon/