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Answer
Being rich and famous is not sinful. However, making that a primary pursuit in life is sinful. “People who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction” «But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. », (1 Timothy 6:9, NLT). “Do not toil to acquire wealth” «Labour not to be rich: Cease from thine own wisdom. », (Proverbs 23:4, ESV).
The world would have us believe that the only way to become rich and famous is to set goals and pursue them doggedly. The Bible paints a different picture. Consider three biblical figures whose examples speak to this issue:
1. First and foremost is Jesus. When tempted by Satan, He intentionally rejected the opportunities to become rich and famous (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus devoted Himself to the tasks God gave Him «Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. », (John 5:19). We are compelled to take the attitude of Jesus, “who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing. . . . He humbled himself” (Philippians 2:5-8). What was the result of Jesus’ humbling Himself? “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and
God gave Him the name that is above every name” (verse 9).
2. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. As a slave, he had no ambitions to be rich and famous. He only did the work that was put before him. In Potiphar’s house, Joseph’s faithfulness resulted in his being put in charge of everything. Later, in jail, he helped his fellow prisoners, earning a trust that ultimately led to his being put in charge of all of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. In short, Joseph focused on what God wanted him to do, and as a result, he became one of the most powerful and famous men in the world (see Genesis 37—41).
3. He was not wealthy, but the apostle Paul was perhaps the most famous Christian ever to live. How did his fame become worldwide and timeless? He simply did what God put him on earth to do: make disciples. He certainly had a claim to worldly fame, describing some of his accomplishments in Philippians 3:4—6. Yet what did he think about these pursuits that would have warranted fame? “Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ” (verse 7). Paul’s ambition was never to become famous or gather the accolades of men. His burning ambition was to do God’s work and glorify Christ. That was his higher calling.
In Matthew 6:10—20, Jesus teaches us not to store up treasures on earth, but in heaven. Then He says, “You cannot serve both God and money” (verse 24). And “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things [the basic necessities of life] will be given to you as well” (verse 33). That is, stop trying to be rich and famous, and instead simply seek after God, living out His purposes for your life. If God wants earthly riches to come your way, they will.
For those whose ambition is to be rich, the Bible has many cautions. Jesus said that it is difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven «And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.d. », (Matthew 19:24). Material wealth has a way of diverting our attention from what is important and eternal. Jesus’ parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16–21 teaches that it is unwise to accumulate earthly possessions without considering heavenly matters.
Regarding the pursuit of fame, the Bible also offers a word of caution: “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled” «And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. », (Matthew 23:12). Paul states that “a person with a transformed heart seeks approval from God, not from people” «but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.», (Romans 2:29, NLT). James questions, “Do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” «Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. », (James 4:4).
Those who are wealthy and renowned often find it challenging to follow fundamental biblical instructions such as “Be content with what you have” «Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. », (Hebrews 13:5) and “Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the humble. Do not be conceited” «Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in
Your own conceits. », (Romans 12:16, BSB) and “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you” «Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. », (James 5:1).
To be clear, it’s not wrong to have wealth. It’s the love of money that is a root of all kinds of evil «For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. », (1 Timothy 6:10). But those with wealth should understand where the wealth comes from (God), the purpose for having it (to further God’s work), and its transitory nature see Proverbs 23:5.
Ecclesiastes 2:24 notes, “A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil.” But the same passage clarifies the Source of our blessings: “This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” (verses 24–25).
We should not make fame and fortune a primary pursuit in life. Rather, we should make glorifying God our primary goal. We love Jesus and obey Him « If ye love me, keep my commandments. », (John 14:15). We follow Jesus, which means we deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow wherever He leads «And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. », (Mark 8:34). Jesus blesses the meek « Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. », (Matthew 5:5).
(Matthew 5:5); Becoming wealthy and renowned is typically not His intention for His followers in this earthly realm.
