Introduction
We’ve all heard the talk about the incompatibility of wealth and faith. It’s a topic that has been discussed for years. Decades ago, it was subtle but as the teaching of the prosperity gospel became a central theme in churches, people became more open about it. On the other hand, there is a narrative that suggests that financial prosperity and spiritual growth are mutually exclusive. Is this truly the case? Does the Bible condemn wealth? Or does it offer a more nuanced perspective on money and its role in our lives?
There are myths surrounding wealth and Christianity, exploring the biblical perspective on money and its proper place in the life of a Christian. Unscriptural ideas and myths can keep Christians bound in a mindset of poverty and lack until it becomes a stronghold in their lives. There are many popular but incorrect quotes, supposedly from the Bible, regarding money, wealth, and riches. We will examine the lives of biblical figures who possessed wealth, examine Jesus’ teachings on money, and see what principles we discover for a balanced approach to financial matters that honors God.
Wealth in the Bible: A Complex Issue
The Bible is not silent on the topic of wealth. It has some interesting stories and teachings about money. From Abraham, a wealthy patriarch, to Solomon, renowned for his riches, the Bible acknowledges the existence of wealth. It’s important to note, however, that the Bible often uses wealth as a metaphor or a tool to illustrate spiritual truths. For instance, the parable of the talents highlights the importance of stewardship and responsibility.
Jesus and Money: A Misunderstood Relationship
Jesus often spoke about money and possessions. However, His teachings are frequently misinterpreted. His primary concern was not about accumulating wealth but about our hearts’ attachment to it. The parable of the rich young ruler illustrates this point. Jesus invites the young man to sell all his possessions and follow Him. While this might seem extreme, it reveals the heart of the matter: our love for money can become an idol, hindering our spiritual growth. The story can be found in the Gospel of Matthew 19:16–30, the Gospel of Mark 10:17–31 and the Gospel of Luke 18:18–30 in the New Testament.
A popular and often misquoted Bible verse is 1 Timothy 6:10. Many people have used it as the basis for saying that money is the root of all evil. The verse does not state that. The first part of the verse in the King James Version states, “For the love of money is the root of all evil”. Do you see the difference? The negative is not the money, but rather the love of it, yet it has been preached in many pulpits as “the love of money is the root of all evil’. We need to read the Bible for ourselves and not just repeat what someone else says. We also have the convenience of being able to listen to audio versions of the Bible using apps such as Bible Gateway. Many people have had this instilled in them from childhood and because of this wrong quotation, seem to have developed an aversion to seeking money.
Another Bible verse that we should note is Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 ESV, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eats them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep. This is another verse which, although less often quoted, has also been misunderstood by some. It speaks about the love of money and the love of wealth, not the money or the wealth themselves.
The Heart of the Matter
The issue isn’t about wealth itself but about our relationship with it. 1 Timothy 6:10 does not condemn the possession of wealth but the idolatry of it. When money becomes the most important pursuit in our lives, and we will do anything to get it and to hold on to it we may find ourselves doing evil and drawing away from God. If money becomes our ultimate value, and displaces God in our hearts, then it becomes our god. We are worshipping it. Matthew 6:24 in the Bible says, “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”. This verse explains how greed can become a slave master who promises freedom but only requires further servitude. Many persons have found themselves in that vicious cycle.
Rich Men in the Bible
The Bible suggests that wealth is not sinful and that God sometimes blessed his servants with wealth when they pleased him. However, the Bible also shows that wealth doesn’t guarantee virtue and that it’s not an accurate indicator of a person’s standing with God. Let’s look at some who were approved by God, and when He disapproved of them, it was not about their wealth:
Abram (Abraham) – Genesis 13:2 states, “Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver and in gold.” God blessed Abraham and used him in many significant ways.
Isaac – He was next in line for the blessing God promised his father, Abraham, and became wealthy (Genesis 26:12-13).
Joseph (Genesis 41:37 – 44) – When Pharoah promoted Joseph to second in command in Egypt, he became wealthy.
Job – The Bible describes him as wealthy. Job 1:3, states, “His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yokes of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and a very great household, so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the East”.
David – 1 Chronicles 29:28 KJV says, “And he (David) died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead.”
Solomon – 1 Kings 10:23 American Standard Version (ASV) states, “So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.” His wealth was acquired through trading with Sheba, Nubia, Kush, and other places.
Rich Women in the Bible
Lydia of Thyatira and Philippi – Lydia is first mentioned in Acts 16:14-15. She was a wealthy woman, a dealer in purple cloth (a luxury item in the ancient Mediterranean), from Thyatira, a region known for its dyeing industry. She welcomed believers to worship in her home and was hospitable to Paul and other disciples. Lydia used her wealth to serve others and to give to those in need.
The Shunammite Woman (2 Kings 4:8 – 37) – The Bible describes her as a wealthy and well-respected person in the society. She used her kindness and wealth to entertain a prophet (2 Kings 4:8-10). She was blessed with a child because of her kindness. This was in line with God’s promise (Matthew 10:41).
Jesus’ Teachings About Using Wealth Positively
Being poor does not mean that a person is Godly and being rich does not automatically mean that a person is greedy and evil. There are many Bible verses in which Jesus tells believers how to use their wealth for good. Let’s look at some of them:
John 3:17-18: “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
In Luke 16:9, Jesus tells his disciples to use worldly wealth to make friends so that when they fail, they may be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
Proverbs 13:22: “Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.”
Proverbs 10:22: “The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.”
Proverbs 3:9-10: “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.”
Proverbs 21:20: “The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.”
Rich and wealthy people of God should use their wealth wisely. They should recognize God as their source and give generously to care for the poor and to help spread the gospel. If they do not, it may be a sign that they are not following Christ’s example and His teachings. It also indicates that they have not truly grasped the meaning of the wonderful gift of salvation they have been freely given.
Warnings From Jesus About Possible Negative Effects of Wealth
The Bible gives some serious warnings about what the focus on acquiring wealth and the attitudes and actions of the wealthy can result in. Here are a few:
Money and Material Possessions Becoming More Important than Eternal Life: As Jesus said, “What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?” (Luke 9:25). The wealthy may be lured away from life with God by their own wealth, a fate that the poor escape. “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God,” says Jesus (Luke 6:20).
Focusing more on Short-term Values: In Matthew 19-20, Jesus tells people not to store up riches on earth, where they can be destroyed by moths and rust, or stolen by robbers. Instead, he says to store up riches in heaven, where they are safe from these things. He also says that people’s hearts will always be where their riches are.
Becoming Greedy: In Luke 6:20-24, Jesus tells people to be careful to guard themselves from greed, and that life is not about having many material possessions.
Making Money Their God: In Matthew 6:24, Jesus says that people cannot serve both God and money.
Being Snared by the Obsessive Desire for Money: 1 Timothy 6:8-10, “But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
A Balanced Perspective
Having wealth and earthly possessions is not the issue. Jesus wants people to understand that their lives should not be focused on acquiring and storing up riches. Wealthy people often use their wealth unwisely and sometimes behave like they do not need God. Read the story of the poor man, Lazarus, and the rich man, Dives in Luke 16:19-31. It is not the wealth itself that is bad, but the negative things some people do to acquire it, how they use it to mistreat others, and allowing it to replace God in their lives. That is why Jesus stated, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God” in both Matthew 19:24 and Luke 18:25. This shows that the distractions of a life rich in material things and money can cause people to be drawn away from God.
We need money to live, and God knows that, so He is not against someone being wealthy. It is the person’s attitude to money that is spoken about in most of the Bible verses that were quoted. What they do with the money and what they do not use it to do are important considerations in seeking God’s approval. If they use it wisely to honor Him and help their fellowman, God will be pleased with them. The more money some people have the more ungodly they become as they seek to hold on to it and to get more.
The love of money can lead a wealthy person into sin and emptiness. A healthy Christian perspective on wealth involves stewardship, generosity, and contentment. We are called to be good stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Generosity is a hallmark of Christian character, and contentment is a spiritual virtue that helps us find peace amidst the different circumstances of life.
Conclusion
The relationship between money and God is far more complex than looking at rich or poor, good or evil. The Bible offers a balanced perspective, encouraging us to use our resources wisely, to be generous, and to find our ultimate satisfaction in God. It’s about placing our trust in God’s provision rather than relying solely on our financial status.
Deuteronomy 8:18 states that God gives people the power to get wealth. The verse reads, “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day”. By understanding the biblical perspective on wealth, we can develop a healthy relationship with money and material possessions in ways that honor God and bless others. Money should not be your God because if it is, it will not be able to save you in the end. Let us seek to be like Christ and be responsible in providing for our families and ourselves, but not lose sight of our ultimate choice to live and reign with Jesus Christ our Lord for all eternity.