Let’s address one of the most prominent misconceptions that longer in the mind of many Christians. Is God against material wealth? Are the rich destined for hell? Does poverty directly imply going to heaven? More than a handful of believers contend with questions about God’s position on the acquisition of wealth. Let’s explore this topic together as we debunk the myth that God does not want us to be rich!
Many Fathers Of The Faith Had Wealth
Our perusal of the biblical texts would draw our attention to many characters in the Bible who lived lives pleasing to God even though they were some of the richest people that ever lived. Job in his day was the wealthiest man in all of the east(Job 1:3) yet he was considered righteous by God Himself. Abraham was a man of faith but God blessed him with much wealth in livestock(Gen 13:2).
We can also point to David; a man after God’s own heart but he was one of the wealthiest and most successful kings of Israel. All these examples give credence to the fact that God is not against the acquisition of material wealth. It is possible to be rich and live a life pleasing to God.
God Is Not Against Money, He Is Against The Love Of It
All through the Bible, when instructions about money are given, it is well qualified to suggest that money in itself is not the problem. The problem is our attitude towards it. “The love of money is the the root of all evil.” That quotation suggests that our affection for money causes trouble for us and not the money itself. God is a jealous God and requires that we place no other god before Him. Sometimes we make money our god and that’s what He detests.
God Blesses With Riches
“Proverbs 10:22:The blessing of theLord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
If God thought that money was inherently evil, He would not provide it for His people and call it a blessing. Proverbs 10:22 clearly indicates that God can make His people rich. We know that everything that God does is good and He wouldn’t give us anything that will purposely hurt us. The scripture makes it obvious that wealth can be a blessing from God and that when God gives wealth, there is joy and happiness along with it.
God Wants To Be Honored
Pro 3:9 KJV Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
God in His fullness and infinite glory is not in need of any earthly treasure; money inclusive. However, God greatly appreciates it when we give Him our wealth because He views it as a way of honor. So how can one honor God with money when he lacks it? God knows that we cannot give what we do not have so when he requires something of us, He would make sure that He gives us the ability to get it.
Riches Give Us The Ability To Help The Poor
Proverbs 22:9 “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
Luke 14:13-14 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
God pleasures in cheerful givers. He wants His saints to give to the poor and less privileged in society. We are commanded to love our neighbours and giving is one of the best ways to show love.
God wants us to be rich so that we can fend for ourselves, our families, and the less privileged in society. The church and Christians have a responsibility to be lights in a dark world. It is God’s plan for you to be rich but you need to remember that your wealth is not yours. It is wrong to have so much to spare when you are acquainted with people who can barely make ends meet.
To Spread The Gospel
Ever thought of how the church would spread the gospel if Christianity forbade riches? Missionaries would not be able to travel to the ends of the earth to preach to societies ignorant about God’s grace. The printing of Bibles, organisation of outreach and crusades are capital intensive and are not geared towards profit-making.
This, Christians are blessed by God to use their money to help spread the good news of Christ. God does not want people to perish due to ignorance of His word. Accordingly, He has given us the ability to fund the gospel so that it can reach and save the lost
