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Response
The Christian perspective on wealth should be based on the Scriptures. Throughout the Old Testament, there are instances where God bestowed riches upon His people. Solomon, for example, was promised wealth and eventually became the wealthiest of all the kings on earth (1 Kings 3:11-13;2 Chronicles 9:22). David acknowledged in 1 Chronicles 29:12: “Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.” Figures like Abraham (Genesis 17-20), Jacob (Genesis 30-31), Joseph (Genesis 41), King Jehoshaphat «Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. », (2 Chronicles 17:5), and others were also blessed by God with wealth. However, they were a chosen people with earthly promises and rewards, including a land and all its riches.
In the New Testament, a different standard is presented. The church was not promised land or riches. Ephesians 1:3 states, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Jesus, in Matthew 13:22, warned about the seed of God’s Word falling among thorns and how “the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful” (NKJV), marking the first mention of earthly riches in the New Testament, which is portrayed negatively.
In Mark 10:23, Jesus observed, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” While not impossible—since all things are possible with God—it would be “hard.” Luke 16:13 records Jesus discussing “mammon” (the Aramaic term for “riches”): “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else…”
He will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Again, the imagery here portrays wealth as a negative influence on spirituality, potentially keeping us from God.
God speaks of the true riches He offers us today in Romans 2:4: “Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” These riches lead to eternal life. This is further emphasized in Romans 9:23: “And that He might reveal the riches of His glory to vessels of mercy, which He had prepared in advance for glory, including us whom He called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?” (NKJV). Additionally, Ephesians 1:7 states: “In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in line with the abundance of God’s grace.” When referring to God’s mercy, Paul praises God in Romans 11:33: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!” The New Testament emphasizes God’s riches within us: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints” Ephesians 1:18b. God desires to display His riches in us in heaven: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6-7).
The riches that God desires for us: “I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being” «that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; », (Ephesians 3:16). The most significant verse in the New Testament begins with Ephesians 3:16.
One of the passages that addresses believers regarding wealth is Philippians 4:19: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” This message was penned by Paul in response to the sacrificial gifts sent by the Philippians to support his necessities.
In 1 Timothy 6:17, a caution is issued to the affluent: “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” James 5:1-3 also delivers a warning about ill-gotten wealth: “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.” The final mention of wealth in the Bible is found in Revelation 18:17, describing the swift downfall of Babylon: “For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.”
In essence, Israel was granted material promises and blessings as God’s chosen people on earth. Through them, He conveyed numerous illustrations, types, and truths. Many individuals aspire to receive the blessings without the accompanying curses. Nevertheless, with the progression of revelation, God has unveiled a superior ministry through Jesus Christ: “But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises” «But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. », (Hebrews 8:6).
God does not condemn individuals for possessing wealth. Wealth may come from various avenues, but severe admonitions are issued to those who prioritize wealth over God and place their trust in it more than in Him.
than in God. His greatest desire is for us to set our hearts on things above and not on things on this earth. This may sound very high and unobtainable, but Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” «I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. », (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). The secret is knowing Christ as Savior and allowing the Holy Spirit to conform our minds and hearts to His (Romans 12:1-2).
