True Riches
“A Man’s Life Does Not Consist of the Abundance of his Possessions” – Jesus
Luke 12:15
TRUE RICHES
Being Rich Towards God!
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”—Matthew 6:19–21
The Parable of the Rich Fool, Luke 12:13–21
The object of life, according to Jesus is breathtakingly simple: Be rich toward God. When the game [of life] is over, all that will matter will be God’s assessment of our lives. Venture capitalists and Hollywood stars and school janitors and Somalian tribesmen will stand in line before him on level ground.
“Take heed, and beware of covetousness, for a man’s life consist not in the abundance of the things that he possesses. He that layeth up treasures for himself is not rich towards God” — Jesus, Luke 12: 15, 21
“He that hates covetousness shall prolong his days.” – Proverbs 28:16 This is a health benefit, you will avoid a lot of deadly stress!
- Being rich toward God means growing a soul that is increasingly healthy and good.
- Being rich toward God means loving and enjoying the people around you.
- Being rich toward God means learning about your gifts and passions and doing good work to help improve the world.
- Being rich toward God means becoming generous with your stuff.
- Being rich toward God means making that which is temporary become the servant of that which is eternal.
Jesus expressed it in two great commandments, each built around a single word: Love.
Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, he said. Love your neighbor as yourself. … No one can do this and be poor in God’s eyes. —John Ortberg
Only One Life, ’Twill Soon Be Past
One of the biggest surprises we may encounter when we get to heaven is seeing what really mattered to Jesus and what was not so important.
C. T. Studd, a man who devoted his life to missionary work, wrote a poem with this memorable line, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Many people today are busy spending their time in fruitless endeavors, investing their time, money, and energy in work, activities, and pastimes that won’t last, and that aren’t going to be of any value in the next world. One of these days, those people are going to realize they’ve worked their whole lives for something that’s going to pass away in a moment of time. This is why Jesus says, “Do not work for food that perishes but for food that lasts for eternal life.” (John 6: 27) Jesus is telling us to spend our time and energy on things that are going to carry over into the next world. He tells us to invest in our heavenly future, to work for things with eternal value—things that are based on love. —Christi S. Lynch
The Riches of His Goodness
Paul speaks of “the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering,” which have led Him to provide our eternal salvation. For those who have been saved, he writes of “the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory.” Then, in contemplating the great plan of God for both Jews and Gentiles, he exclaimed, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” In Him, in fact, are “hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
When he wrote to the Ephesian Christians, Paul reminded them that Christ had redeemed them through His blood and forgiven their sins “according to the riches of his grace,” in hope that they would understand “the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.” He told them that “God, who is rich in mercy,” had saved them so “that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
Finally, summarizing all these true riches—mercy, glory, grace, goodness, wisdom, knowledge—Paul spoke of “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Cor.2:9) —Henry M. Morris
To know God through Christ and His redeeming work is to be rich indeed.
God is “rich in mercy” and that “the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him, for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
True riches are not comprised of material things. The Scripture calls these “uncertain riches” and warns us not to trust in them. True riches is “to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” and so to be “filled with all the fulness of God.”
TRUE RICHES VERSES: Riches of His Goodness, of His Mercy, of His Glory and of His Wisdom
Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? – Romans 2:4
that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,- Romans 9:23
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!–Rom. 11:33
I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge—1 Corinthins 1:4-5
God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us…7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.- Ephesians 2:4, 7
…this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ – Ephesians 3:8
Paul focused on preaching “the unsearchable riches of Christ,” and the church was greatly strengthened. There are churches today who focus on the “get rich” gospel and God’s children subsequently suffer hunger for the true Word of God.
“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” – 1 Peter 5: 2-4
Church growth will come by feeding the flock of God with the Word and caring for them, not by pressuring them for money. The crown of glory is the riches, the treasure that we should be seeking, and that is obtained by forsaking your life to follow Jesus and choosing the humble path:
“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, – 1 Peter 5: 5,6
SOULS, NOT DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER!
Proverbs 11:30;
Daniel 12:3
CONSIDER THE POOR!
“Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.
2 The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.” – Psalm 41: 1, 2
MY LIFE Lord Byron vs Women at the Well and Ecclesiastes 5:12
“He that gives unto the poor shall not lack, but he that hides his eyes shall have many a curse.” Proverbs 28:27
Proverbs 17:5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker;.
God indentifies with the poor, Insult God if you are not kind t the poor!
Helping the Poor, Our Duty!
It is not always a popular Message
“To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.” – Proverbs 21:3, 13
Mt. 13:22 Watch out for the Deceitfulness of Riches
Mt.25: 33 – 45 “You don’t love Me, if you don’t love and care for the poor” – Jesus
The one commandment of the Old Testament Paul wanted to keep: “Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.” -Galatians 2:10
Dan. 4:27 Our duty to the poor.
“Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath;” – Zeph. 1:18
Other References:
Psalm 109:16, Psalm 140:12
Proverbs 10:2; 11:4, 19, 28; 12:22
Psalm 72: He shall spare the poor and the needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
Often, the Wicked Prosper
Psalms 37 and 73 Read key verses. Also see Job 21
Job 21: 7 wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. 9 Their houses are safe from fear; neither is the rod of God upon them.
13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
Psalm 52:7 “Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold
but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!” NIV
Often, the most uncomfortable place for a Christian can be a comfortable place. We settle down and then God has to shake us up. “For without change, we fear not God!” –Psalms 55:19 See the solution – Psalm 55:22
GOD’S SUPPLY!
Good to memorize these!
Matthew 6:33
Philippians 4:19
The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. – Proverbs 13:22
The Meek shall inherit the earth. – Psalm 37, Matthew 5:5
Psalm 62: 10 b: … if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
The cattle on a thousand hills are Mine and I give them to whomsoever I will.
The stores of supply are already waiting for you as you follow God and minister to those in need.
“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”—2 Chronicles 16:91
Investment in eternity
The secular world equates affluence with success and happiness. Therefore, society constantly struggles to acquire as much wealth as possible. The Bible, however, exposes the worthlessness of such a struggle by revealing the truth about money. The Psalms proclaim, “But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish.” Psalm 49;20 No matter how much one struggles for wealth, death still awaits.
Believing in God offers the righteous a lifetime of wealth. Knowing God and understanding his love are the true eternal riches. The author of Hebrews writes, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Money does not love and it does not linger. It is God who stands by and blesses his children in immeasurable amounts—this promise, not money, truly satisfies. —www.allaboutgod.com
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You who have deep faith hold the true riches, the riches of the Spirit. You are the ultra-wealthy in the Spirit. You have so much—an abundance of the wealth of God’s Word, His peace, love, and understanding. And those who don’t know God, whether rich or poor materially, are spiritually destitute. The world seeks longs for what we have for free: Love, Joy and Peace, all fruits of the Holy Spirit. Gal. 5
There are some wonderful Christians who are rich. It is possible. It’s just according to where you put the emphasis, and whether you have God first. But note He said it’s hard for them that trust in riches. That’s the key—it’s where you put the trust.
In Luke 12, the rich man with many barns was called a fool because he was not rich toward God, not because he had riches. In calling him a fool, the Lord said this, “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Oh, there’s the crux of the whole matter: “Not rich toward God.” …
Are you putting the emphasis on the right things, eternal things? Or are you occupying all of your time and thought with the material? If so, then you’re not rich toward God. You’re not laying up treasures in heaven. Paul said, “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” Phillipians 3:8
James
The book of James contains more warnings about wealth in proportion to its size than any other New Testament book. James warns that wealth will pass away like a wild flower (1:10), and the wealthy man will do the same (1:11). In 2:1-9, James gives a stinging denunciation of the wealthy elites who had imposed a social caste system in the church, assigning good seats to the wealthy and lowly seats to the poor. He further states that one of the ways the wealthy got their wealth was through exploiting the poor (2:6). In 5:1-6, James gives his most blunt condemnation of the wealthy. They have been guilty of hoarding their wealth (5:3), failing to pay their workers (5:4), have lived in luxury and selfindulgence (5:5) and have even murdered the innocent who stood in their way of success (5:6). His advice was that they should “weep and wail” (5:1), no doubt a euphemism for repentance.
God’s Economy
The Bible says, “Seek first the kingdom of God.” There’s a greater and more important meaning of the word “first,” meaning foremost and above all, before everything else, above everything else, beyond everything else, and more than anything else. That means you’re seeking God’s kingdom more than anything else on this earth.
Bible economics is utterly contrary to the economics of man. Man’s economics says: Self-preservation is the first law of nature. I’m going to preserve myself and my own first. I’m going to live for myself. First, I’m going to take care of myself. First, I’m going to get mine. Self-preservation.
What is God’s law of economics? “He that would come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For he that loseth his life for My sake and the gospel’s shall save it; but he that saveth his life”—self-preservation— “the same shall lose it.”
God’s economy is the diametrical opposite of man’s economy! God says, “God first, and I’ll take care of you afterward.” Man says, “Me first, and if there’s anything left over, I’ll give it to God. My time first, and if I’ve got a little left over, I’ll give it to God.” God’s economy says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”
If you spend your life trying to save your life, Jesus says you’re going to lose your life. Spend your life losing your life for His kingdom and others—that’s the secret of saving it!
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“You can’t take it with you—but you can send it on ahead. The money isn’t gone. The money isn’t misused. It’s simply been redirected into a different kind of investment. “If we give instead of keep, if we invest in the eternal instead of in the temporal, we store up treasures in heaven that will never stop paying dividends. Whatever we store up on earth will be left behind when we leave. Whatever treasures we store up in heaven will be waiting for us when we arrive.” We find when we commit to this kind of generosity that there is greater joy both now and then.”—Tim Challies
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There’s a clear case made in the Scriptures that we will be rewarded, both in this life and the next, for doing the things that Jesus said we should do—even though they are hard. Perhaps the fact that they are so hard has something to do with why we are rewarded by God for doing them. We’re going to live forever. It’s wise to invest in the future. —Even if it’s hard.
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Living—the real thing—doesn’t consist of things at all, because things cannot truly satisfy. They may temporarily satisfy the body, but they can never satisfy the soul that cries out to God for the joy and happiness and eternal fulfillment that only He can give.
If you think that things will ever satisfy you, look at the rich who don’t know God. They’ve got everything, yet something’s missing. The things of this world may satisfy their bodies, but not their hearts. And when they do satisfy their bodies, they’re not happy for very long, because the flesh can never get enough. Things can’t satisfy the needs of the spirit. Only God can do that.
Life, Jesus taught, is more than things. It doesn’t really matter how few or how many things you have. It’s what’s inside that really counts—love and joy and true happiness in your heart, and peace of mind. The most valuable thing you can possibly have is Jesus, and He’s the key to all the rest!
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Living for the “now” is always so much easier than living for the eternal. You are earthbound, in weak and frail human bodies, and it’s hard to see past your present circumstances. You want to have fun, you want immediate recognition, and you want to enjoy the “now.”
But blessed are those who live and work and invest in the eternal world of tomorrow through serving God and living for Him. It’s a work that doesn’t always reap immediate or noticeable results, but it’s a work you’re building that will last forever, that you will be proud of for eternity, an endless legacy of love and giving that you will never regret.
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“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” —Jim Elliot
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“Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” This is a strange paradox that life will come out of death. Except you die, you’ll never truly live, just as the paradox, except you give forth, you can’t take in truly.
“It abideth alone.” This is the loneliness of the self-life, that if you’re not willing to die, there is this loneliness. “Except a corn of wheat fall in the ground and die, it abides alone.” This is why the self-life is so stunted and impoverished.
The ones who live so self-absorbed, and enwrapped and self-pitying, with the idea that the whole universe revolves around them, they live the loneliest of lives. They indeed abide alone, and so many times they feel the utter futility of life.
Someone has wisely said that the smallest package in all the world is a man wrapped up in himself, and that surely is true. But how different the life of a real Christian, a dedicated Christian, where self has died! They’ve been crucified with Christ and they’ve been born again as new creatures. Paul said, it’s no longer I that live, “but Christ that liveth in me.” No more self-absorption, no more self-motives in life, but motivated by Christ within. He loses his life in larger interests, in the wealth of satisfaction from an outpoured life—an outpoured life instead of an ingrown life.
It indeed brings forth much fruit because it has germinated into communion with others; it has germinated into fellowship with God and into a self-forgetfulness that brings rest, joy, and riches eternal.
Oh, this is the happy and useful life! “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. And set your affections on the things above, and not on the things on the earth.” We don’t have to worry about what’s going to happen to us when we’re so thoroughly in His hands and our life is hid away with Jesus Christ.
Have you gotten before the Lord recently and taken a good look at yourself and seen how you look in God’s sight? God looks down into your heart and talks to you and lets you see yourself as you really are.
“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”— Col.3:4
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“Do not love the world or the things in the world … and the world is passing away, along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” – 1 John 2: 15-17
The words that James spoke to the wealthy people of that time spoke against the accumulation of possessions: “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.”
Do you show by your life, by the clothes you wear and the possessions you own, or by your willingness to share what you have and that your material goods are not overly important to you? You don’t have to have much to have “great possessions,” or to be materialistic to put those possessions in a higher place than they should hold. Do your things “own” you or do you own them and steward them wisely and prayerfully?
The key issue here is not whether you have two pairs of jeans or ten. Nor is it whether you own a good laptop or tablet or smartphone. Nor is it whether you shop at a mall, a secondhand market‚ or garage sales. The issue is this: Where is your heart at when it comes to the material goods of this world?
As disciples, your hearts and minds are to be set on the things of the Spirit and the kingdom of God. So it’s important to keep the things of the world—possessions, fashions, gadgets, appearance, and all the rest—in perspective. You’re called to not love the world or the things in the world; that means not “loving” your things so much that you are hesitant to share them with those in need, and not accumulating so many possessions to the point that they weigh you down and hinder your Christian example. As Christians and disciples‚ part of your testimony is your simplicity when it comes to the things of the world. If you have something you don’t need, consider giving it to someone who does need it.
Here are some core issues for gauging your relationship with the things of the world: Are your priorities right? Are you willing to give to those in need? Are you avoiding wasting your time in pursuit of unnecessary or too many material possessions?
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The Joy of His Presence
Serve God out of Love for Him, not out of a sense of guilt!
“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in Your presence.”—Acts 2:28
When you make God your ultimate pleasure, you glorify Him by desiring closeness with Him. As you delight in God, He is able to bless you with many things that please you. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.
Let your conversation be without covetousness [love of money]; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.—Hebrews 13:51
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Everyone is laying up treasure in some way. It may not be expressed in our assets or bank accounts, but there is something which gives us reason to get up in the morning. Whatever controls our heart is our treasure, and it’s either earthly or heavenly. The reality is we straddle both spheres, and no matter how heavenly our interests may be, we live on earth and are subject to its demands and values.
What begins as our treasure, whether earthly or heavenly, is something which serves us and furthers our interests. In the pursuit of it, our treasure becomes our vision, and in time what began as our treasure and grew into our vision becomes our master. The free will we are given is actually limited to one thing … who is our master? From there on, everything we do is a logical explanation of what is the mastering principle of our lives. It’s either temporal or it’s eternal, self-centered or God-centered, earthly or heavenly, but it cannot be both.
Society today holds to the belief that a person’s status and success is directly related to reputation and material wealth, but society has it backwards. We cannot put the pursuit of money, prestige and power before the pursuit of God. Jesus says we cannot serve both God and money.
The features that characterize heavenly treasures are the exact opposite of earthly treasures. Instead of temporary and troublesome, they are permanent and peaceful. To store up treasure in heaven is to live on earth with heaven in mind. The issues which govern our values, goals and behaviours should not be confined to this life only and played out ‘before men’. They should have eternal issues at heart, and be played out before God. The very same possessions, bank balances, occupations, living standards can either be storing up treasure in heaven or on earth. It is not the substance of our possessions that is the issue, but the audience before whom we live.
Materialism does not relate to how much we actually possess, but our attitude towards what we possess. Everything that we lose when we die should be given appropriate status now, and that which holds its currency beyond death is what we should invest in now. Once we have settled the issues of storing up our real treasure in heaven, our vision is good, and our master is God. —Charles Price
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The rich young ruler came running to Jesus, and kneeling said: “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Notice how he emphasizes goodness, his own righteousness, seeking salvation by his good works and his own righteousness. You’ll find the story in Matthew 19, Mark 10, and Luke 18. But Jesus rebukes him for calling anyone good but God, a gentle chiding of his self-piety, and then tells him he must keep the commandments. Jesus quotes only about half of the commandments, those which forbid what most people consider the very worst sins, and which Jesus evidently already knew that this good young man would, of course, have probably kept. And the young man, with obvious relief, heartily boasts that he has kept these. But Jesus is leading him on, carefully avoiding the commandments which He apparently knows the young man has not kept quite so well, such as “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image… Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them … and, Thou shalt not covet,” and the one which Jesus Himself said was the greatest of all: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.”
The young man sincerely asks, “What lack I yet?” “Why am I not happy. Why am I not satisfied? Why do I feel uneasy about the future? Why don’t my possessions and position bring me contentment and rest of spirit?” Jesus had been drawing him out to reveal his greatest sin of spiritual pride. Now Jesus puts him to the test: Will he be willing to give up the things that he covets, the other gods that he worships, the images to whom he bows—his riches, his position, the opinions of men, his idolatry of covetousness?
Knowing the struggle and the sad decision His words were to bring in the young man’s heart, Jesus looks on him with compassion and love and tells him he lacks but one thing, and asks him to make the most difficult decision of his life: “Go and sell all that you have and give it to the poor, and come, take up the cross and follow Me, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven!” But when the young man heard this, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. So Jesus turned to His disciples and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.” This was a very small gate in the wall of Jerusalem through which camels had to crawl on their knees, pushed and shoved and pulled and dragged by their drivers, and shrieking with pain at the tops of their voices in stubborn protest. What a picture!
When His disciples heard this, they were amazed and said, “Who then can be saved?” In their day, many of the rich were the most religious and self-righteous Pharisees. So they must have figured if they would have such a hard time, what chance did the poor publicans and sinners have? And Jesus acknowledged that it was impossible for anyone to be saved without the miracle-working power of God. “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
The saddest thing about this whole experience was that this young man’s riches had never brought him happiness or satisfaction, or he would not have come running to Jesus, begging for an answer to his misery. Yet when Jesus gave him the answer to life, love, and happiness in forsaking all for Jesus and others, he went away still full of the sorrows that riches bring. He still went back to his riches that had never satisfied, and rich as he was, he was still unable to pay the price of the joy of giving all.—which, of course, shows that he loved things more than God. The account of the rich young ruler teaches us that loyalty to other things can keep us from following Jesus. Through this encounter, Jesus showed that putting God first is a requisite for true discipleship.
Jesus told him to sell all his possession and give them to the poor and he would have treasure in heaven. Luke points out that the young man was very sad “because he was a man of great wealth” (Luke18:23).
R. T. France comments on why the disciples were astonished at what Jesus said:
The disciples’ astonishment arises from the common Jewish assumption… that wealth is a sign of God’s blessing and his reward for faithful service, so that when Jesus instead declares it to be an impediment to salvation, he is undermining a fundamental part of their religious worldview. Just as in many other instances, Jesus’ teaching interjects new understanding into the Jewish religious worldview of His time.
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. The rich man, through his own efforts, cannot enter the kingdom of God.
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O souls, souls, souls, beware, beware, beware, most of all of greed! It is not money, nor the lack of money, but the love of money which is the root of all evil. It is not getting it; it is not even keeping it; it is loving it; it is making it your god; it is looking at that as the main chance, and not considering the cause of Christ, nor the truth of Christ, nor the holy life of Christ, but being ready to sacrifice everything for gains’ sake. —C. H. Spurgeon
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Money is plainly not intrinsic treasure; love is, goodness is, joy is. A beloved disciple, in a moment of inspiration, announced the profound truth that love is “of God.” Men wrongly divide love into two types, “human love” and “divine love,” but in reality there is only love. Wherever love has become the nature of the soul and it has become “natural” now to forget self for others, to seek to give rather than to get, to share rather than to possess, to be impoverished in order that some loved one may abound, there a divine and godlike spirit has been formed. And we now come upon a new kind of wealth, a kind that accumulates with use, because it is a law that the more the spirit of love is exercised, the more the soul spends itself in love, so much the more love it has, the richer it grows, the diviner its nature becomes. —Rufus M. Jones
What would you do? Would you sell it all for Him? … What if He pointed to anything in your life that you enjoy and said, “Put that down and follow me”? What would you do? Why do you call Him good? Now it is our turn to answer.—Eva Marie Everson
When Israel was building a nation, they needed material wealth in a material kingdom. Our kingdom is different, Romans 14:17 states that the KOG is righteousness, joy and peace in the Holy Spirit. We need to share our wealth by investing into the advancement of the KOG. See Daniel 2:44
Resource Materials:
“Prosperity: A Biblical Perspective”
African Journal of Bible Studies, Volume XV, Number 2, October 2000 (adapted)
God wants you to be rich is the theme of the Prosperity Gospel.
The theology reflected by this view arises primarily from a single verse in 3 John 2 which says in the Authorized Version, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
Because of the emphasis on prosperity, this movement has been identified as the “prosperity gospel” movement and sometimes simply called the “health and wealth gospel.”
It is beyond the scope of this paper to look at the historical development of the movement. It will be the focus of this paper to examine the Biblical foundation of the doctrine of wealth. I will do so by looking at three different perspectives on wealth as reflected in the Bible.
The Linguistic Perspective
Perhaps the most common Hebrew word for wealth and riches in the Old Testament is the Hebrew word ‘ashar. The verb form of the word in its various configurations is found 17 times and the noun form is found 37 times. It is almost always translated “rich” or “riches.” Synonyms of the word ‘ashar include (hon) translated “wealth,” (hayil) translated “prosperity” or “wealth,” (hamon) translated “riches,” (‘otsar) translated “treasures” and (matmon) also translated “treasures.”
‘Ashar is found in both a positive and negative sense in the Old Testament. The word is found in a positive sense 34 times and in a negative sense 17 times. Nearly every reference to ‘Ashar in the historical books or other prose writing is positive. Wealth was normally considered a blessing from God. The negative references to wealth are found almost exclusively in poetic passages, including the prophets.
In a positive sense, ‘Ashar is thought to be a blessing from the Lord. Proverbs 10: 22 declares, “The blessing of the Lord brings wealth and he adds no trouble to it.” In fact, wealth comes as a result of humility and the fear of the Lord. “Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4). Although wealth ultimately comes from the Lord, it also comes as a result of hard work. “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 10:4). The persons most likely to enjoy wealth in the Old Testament period were the kings.
On the other hand, the writers of the Old Testament recognized that there were dangers associated with wealth and riches. The Psalmist warns about trusting in one’s wealth rather than God. “Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth” (Psalm 52:7). There are many warnings in the Wisdom Literature related to riches. Proverbs 11:28 states, “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.” One should not overstress himself to get wealth (Proverbs 23:4). Riches often are acquired through deceit (Jeremiah 5:27) and can cause a person to be proud (Jeremiah 9:23).
Unfortunately, riches do not always last (Psalm 49:16-17) and “a good name is more desirable than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1).
Ronald Allen states that there is a “tension between the benefits and dangers of riches” which is very well expressed in Proverbs 30:8b-9;
“Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you, and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”
Wealth, in the Old Testament, is having more possessions that one needs to live. Since it is essential to have a certain amount of possessions to live, having more than one needs is a special blessing from God. Therefore, wealth is frequently commended and even promised in the Old Testament period. It comes from the hand of God and also is acquired through diligent work. On the other hand, wealth can lead to many temptations, which may cause one to stray from God.
Thus, wealth must be handled carefully. Since there are twice as many references to wealth in a positive sense as in a negative sense, the overall attitude toward wealth was positive in the Old Testament period.
Prosperity in the New Testament
Third John 2 says in the KJV, “Beloved I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” The NIV translates the “prosperity” phrase, “I pray . . that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” The word which is translated “prosper” in the KJV is the word “euodoo”.
The word comes from two Greek words “eu” (pronounced ev in Greek) which means “good” and (odos) which literally means “way” or “road.” The word literally means to “go along a good road.” It could refer to having a good journey.
Euodoo is found only four times in the New Testament. Two of them are found in the 3 John passage. Romans 1:10 is another passage: “I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.” This is almost a literal meaning of the word. The other reference to the word is 1 Corinthians 16:2 (KJV): “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” The NIV translates the verse, “in keeping with his income.”
Arndt and Gingrich says that the word means “get along well, prosper, or succeed.” It is a general word which describes a positive happening that leaves the recipient better than he was before. It does not exclusively refer to material blessings.
Coming at the beginning of the Epistle of 3 John, this phrase is actually a greeting. John is writing to his converts and saying something like this: “I pray that things will go well with you, with your family, with your employment, with your health, with your community, with everything.” This is not a statement upon which one builds theology. Greetings are culturally relevant but not appropriate to create theology.
When one greets another person early in the day he or she is likely to say “Good morning.” In so doing he or she is actually praying or wishing that the person will have a good morning. If two opposing football teams meet one morning, they will likely greet one another by saying “Good morning.” However, in truth, they do not want each other to have a good morning. They want the other team to have a bad morning. The greeting is culturally appropriate but not a true reflection of the actual feelings of the greeter.
“Euodoo” is a general word referring to success in whatever one is doing. In the 3 John passage it is a greeting and not a theological statement.
Plousios - Πλούσιος
The most important family of words related to wealth in the Greek New Testament is the group of words with the “plou” root. A careful analysis of these words suggests the following:
1. There are 22 negative references to wealth/riches.
2. There are 2 positive references.
3. There are 15 neutral references to wealth.
4. There are 11 references to wealth used in a figurative sense. Ten of them are used positively and one is used negatively.
5. There are 17 references to wealth being associated with God and/or Jesus.
As indicated above, there are fifteen references to wealth in which the wealth is not viewed in either a positive or negative sense. In Matthew 27:57, Joseph of Arimathea who claimed the body of Jesus is described as a “rich man.” Luke records several miracles which Jesus told about rich men who had servants and who treated them in various ways (Luke 12:16; 16:1, 19; 18:23; 19:2). In these 17 cases, wealth is viewed as neither positive nor negative.
The only two positive places these words are found are both in 2 Corinthians and are associated with the offerings Paul was collecting as he was concluding the third missionary journey. In 2Corinthians 8:1-2 he writes, “And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.”
What the verse is saying is that even though the Macedonians were suffering great trials and were poor themselves, they were able to express themselves “richly”—they were able to act like rich people in giving even though they did not have much.
The second reference is 2 Corinthians 9:10-11. “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
The implication of this passage is that if the Corinthians are faithful to give to others, the one who supplies all things will “make them rich in every way.” The statement does not stop there. Paul goes on to state the purpose for which God will give them “riches—“so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” The purpose of their wealth was to meet the genuine needs of others.
In the New Testament there are 22 negative references to this family of words that are translated riches and wealth.
Matthew 13:22: The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.
Matthew 19:23-24: Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’
James 5:1-6: Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your field are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.
For every positive reference to wealth in the New Testament, there are ten negative statements about wealth. The New Testament writers recognized the dangers of wealth. It has a way of drawing a person away from God.
2 Corinthians 8:9: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
1 Timothy 6:17: Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
The point is that God is rich. He owns everything. His wealth is not limited to material things. He knows how to use wealth properly and shares it freely with humanity out of His abundance.
The New Testament refers to wealth or riches in a figurative way eleven times and ten of those are positive. For example, Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 1:5, “For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge . . .” According to this passage, a part of one’s wealth is his or her ability to speak, and a part of it is his or her knowledge.
Paul gives a part of his testimony in 2 Corinthians 6:10; “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing; and yet possessing everything.”
He was poor in material possessions but rich in spiritual blessings. He gives this exhortation in Colossians 3:16;
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
He describes those who are pleasing to God as “rich in good deeds,” (1 Timothy 6:18).
Because wealth means an abundance or more than one needs, the word is often used in a figurative sense to describe the spiritual blessings which God has given us. This is almost always positive because God’s blessings to us are positive.
As we saw in the Old Testament, wealth is viewed both positively and negatively in the New Testament. However, it is used in a negative sense far more than in a positive sense, because the New Testament writers recognized its ability to draw one away from God.
Theological Perspective
One of the primary differences between the Old Testament and the New Testament is the structures through which God was working on the earth. In Genesis 12:2, God promised to make a great nation out of Abraham. Most of the rest of the Old Testament tells about the building of that nation and the subsequent blessings and difficulties of that nation. The people of Israel and the nation of Israel were God’s channel of operation in that period of time. Although God would occasionally show mercy upon non-Israelite individuals, like Ruth, and cities, like Nineveh,
whatever God was doing upon the earth during that time period, He was working in the context of the nation of Israel.
However, the Christian faith believes that when Jesus came, God changed the structure through which he would be working on the earth. Jesus promised, “I will build my church, and the Gates of Hades will not overcome it,” (Matthew 16:18). As far back as the Old Testament prophet Joel, God had promised to change the “rules” related to the way one worked for and interacted with God. Joel predicted that a time would come when all people at every level of society would have access to the Holy Spirit which was only possible for the spiritual giants and leaders in the Old
Testament period (Joel 2:28-32).
The basic purpose of the nation of Israel was to provide and prepare the world for the coming of the Messiah who would be the Savior of the world. The purpose of the Church is to spread the good news that the Savior has come to the world.
Although both were channels of God’s operation upon the earth and both share many other common characteristics, the nation of Israel and the Church have some very basic differences.
1. Israel was restricted to one geographical location. The church is not limited to one place.
2. Israel spoke one language. The church speaks many languages.
3. Israel was made up of one race of people. The church is made up of all races.
4. Israel had a capital city and “holy places.” The church has no such sacred places nor any central headquarters.
5. Israel worshipped God primarily in the Temple in Jerusalem. The church worships anywhere “in spirit and in truth.”
Because Israel was a nation, there was more of a stress on material things than there is in the church. In order for a nation to survive, there must be a certain amount of physical assets. The mark of a healthy nation is one which has many assets, including wealthy people. In order to field an army to protect its borders, a nation has to have wealth. In order to create roads and other infrastructure for its people, governments have to generate money and the more money they have, the more benefits they can provide for their citizens. Because the heart of a government is
located in one central place, foreign visitors go to that place and learn something about the health of that nation by observing the kinds of property and buildings which the government has erected.
However, few if any of these things apply to the church. Although most churches have buildings today, there was no hint of such in the New Testament days. The church could meet anywhere and be successful. The church has no borders to protect and no armies to field. Although the New Testament does encourage Christians to take care of the workers who minister to them (1 Corinthians 9:7-12) and also to take care of the poor and needy (Galatians 2:10), there is far less need for money to sustain the church than for the Old Testament nation of Israel.
Because of this, the New Testament writers tend to focus on the negative aspects of wealth and not the positive ones. If wealth is not essential to develop and maintain the infrastructure of the church as Jesus instituted it, then one should use it cautiously.
Spiritual Perspective
Jesus and his apostles focused more on the negative aspects of wealth and its dangers to one’s spiritual life.
The Example and Teachings of Jesus
Jesus demonstrated his apathy toward wealth in his own lifestyle. He never owned a house or property and declared on one occasion, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head,” (Matthew 8:20). Had Jesus been developing an earthly kingdom, his kingdom would have had all the trappings of other kingdoms and he would have dressed and lived in luxury accordingly. However, Jesus lived in simplicity as an example to his
subsequent followers that wealth is not a prerequisite to being part of the current phase of the kingdom of God.
In addition to his example, Jesus consistently warned about wealth. Although Jesus told some stories in which wealthy men are described in a neutral way, Jesus never gives any positive teaching about wealth. For example, near the end of his ministry, Jesus warned, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God,” (Matthew 19:24).
In Luke’s summary of the content of the Sermon on the Mount, he includes this warning, “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry” (Luke 6:24-25).
A practical application of Jesus’ approach to wealth is his very unique teaching about the way one should use his wealth. When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brother or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 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 (Luke 14:12-14).
In Jesus’ famous story about the rich man and Lazarus, the poor man Lazarus is the hero of the story and the rich man is the villain (Luke 16:19-31).
The one thing that rich people should be able to do better than anyone else is to give gifts to God. However, Luke also tells an amazing story about the giving of the wealthy. Once when Jesus was in the temple, he observed the various people giving their gifts. There was a stark contrast between what the rich were putting in and what a poor widow was able to give. Jesus said,
I tell you the truth . . . this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on,(Luke 21:3-4).
To Jesus, the value of one’s gift was measured not in the amount that was given, but the amount that remained.
To summarize, Jesus lived a simple life by refusing to accumulate possessions and identifying with the people at the lower end of the social strata. He encouraged people to give away their possessions and warned about the accumulation and misuse of wealth. He told stories about wealthy people as a recognition that this was a normal part of society, but demanded that his followers not follow the pattern of wealth exemplified by wealthiest people.
The Example of the Early Church
Wealth continues to be viewed negatively in the early church. When Simon tried to make Money out of the gospel, Peter rebuked him most severely (8:20-23). If there is an emphasis in the Book of Acts on wealth, it is the encouragement to distribute wealth. As indicated above, Barnabas and others gave part of their wealth away (4:34-35). In addition, the church at Antioch took up money to give to the needy in Jerusalem (11:29-30).
The Teachings of the Apostles
The ultimate commentary and application of the teachings of Jesus is given by the apostles of Jesus in the Epistles, which are written to actual persons and groups.
Paul
The Apostle Paul does not really discuss in detail riches from a traditional point of view but focuses on the figurative use of wealth. In fact, fifteen of the seventeen figurative usages of the “ploutos” family of words come from Paul’s writing. Paul particularly enjoys applying the idea of wealth to God, Christ and the community. To Paul, true riches included the mercy of God (Ephesians 2:4), the kindness of God (Romans 2:4), the glory of God (Romans 9:23; Ephesians 1:18; 3:16; Philippians 4:19; Colossians 1:27), the wisdom and knowledge of God (Romans 11:33), and the grace of God (Ephesians 1:7; 2:7). In addition, rather than encouraging persons to
accumulate physical assets to make themselves wealthy in material things, Paul urged his readers to allow the word of God to dwell in them “richly” (Colossians 3:16) and “to be rich in good deeds” (1 Timothy 6:18)
Paul continued the tradition of warning about the abuses of wealth. Paul’s teachings about wealth are summarized in 1 Timothy 6:9-10, 17-19.
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs . . . Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age.
Paul understood that wealth is a powerful temptation that many people do not have the ability to resist. Therefore, he supported the warnings of Jesus against it.
John
In the letter to the Church at Smyrna, Jesus recognized their “afflictions and poverty—yet you are rich!” (2:9). This is obviously a figurative reference to wealth. Interestingly, the opposite is said of the church of Laodicea. They thought they were “rich” but in reality they were “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (3:17). Consistent with the other writers, John describes those who will gain their wealth through dishonest and corrupt means (Revelation 18:3, 15, 17, 19).
Summary of the Teaching of the Epistles
In summary, the Epistles teach that God is rich in many ways and that God’s people should be rich in good deeds. However, they warn about the abuse of wealth, both the way it is obtained, and the way it is distributed. Christians are not forbidden to be wealthy but are expected to use their wealth to aid the needy, and avoid using it to exploit others.
Observations
The following are some general observations based upon the research given above.
1. There is no sin in wealth.
Nowhere does the Bible state that wealth itself is sin. Rather it is always either the greed for wealth or the way wealth is obtained or the way wealth is used—that is the sin of wealth.
2. God is the source of wealth and gives to some and withholds from others.
The Bible consistently says that God is the ultimate owner of all things and therefore the source of all wealth. He gives to some, while withholding from others. Though this is contrary to the opinion of Job’s comforters, the presence of wealth in one’s life was neither an indication of God’s favor or disfavor. God sometimes allows both the righteous and the unrighteous to have wealth or not to have wealth.
3. Wealth was more important to the Old Testament nation of Israel than to the Church. Because the nation of Israel required more material possessions than the church, there was a greater stress on wealth in the Old Testament and a lesser focus on the abuses of wealth. However, Jesus and the other New Testament writers consistently warned about the abuses of wealth.
4. Wealth is a big temptation to believers to abandon God.
The biggest problem with wealth is that it causes a person to be comfortable, relaxed and, therefore, in less need of God. It also encourages pride and often leads to the abuse of others in acquiring wealth.
5. There is no evidence that wealth is related to one’s faith or a special privilege for the spiritually elite.
Christianity is a religion which is independent and above the number of one’s personal assets. Poor people can enjoy God’s favor and blessing just as much as wealthy people. In fact, because of the many warnings against wealth in the New Testament, wealth is more of a hindrance to one’s faith than an asset.
Conclusion
Those who come preaching that the gospel will make them rich often get the attention of the poor. However, when reality does not produce the promised prosperity, those who have experimented with that theory are often worse off than they were before.
Wealth is like a machete. It is a valuable tool in the hands of the right person but a deadly thing in the hands of the wrong person. We Christians must use wealth but not abuse it. We must control it and not allow it to control us. We must acquire possessions but not hoard them. We must serve God in wealth or in poverty. We must resist those who want to distort the message of Christianity with the message of prosperity. We must “seek first the kingdom of God” and be assured that all that we need will be given to us (Matthew 6:33).
“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”—2 Chronicles 16:91
Notes:
Meaning of Search the Scriptures. For us to diligently search for valuable jewels in the Word of God, and to let the Word of God search our hearts and bring light to the dark places.
Lessons of Peter: John 21 and 1 Peter 5: 2-4
Luke 4:6 Devil tempted Jesus with the kingdoms of this world. “That is delivered unto me, and to whoever I will give it.”
Verse in Mark How difficult one with riches to enter the kingdom… Relate it to Mt. 13:22 A false trust, they do not deliver your soul!
Hope is way more than the bread of the poor as the atheists proclaim. This is a blessed assurance, Matthew 5:5
The peace we have is such a great richness, let it rule in your hearts!
For Further Study:
Tim Keller: Creation, Care and Justice https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/creation-care-and-justice-5393/
Business as Ministry: https://www.bizmin.org/videos/
Additional notes and thoughts:
A man sees someone else in genuine need and has plenty to spare. But he considers the matter and turns away. He has “increased” or “preserved” his wealth, but he has impoverished his soul, diminished his own existence since his existence depends utterly on his movement towards well-being and eternal-being. This he could pursue by following the commandments and the example of Christ (which is already the movement of grace within him). Christ’s self-emptying towards all of creation is the perfection of generosity. To act on generosity is union with Christ, a movement towards well-being.
When someone asks: “Is it a sin to withhold help from someone in need?” The answer is yes – but not in a merely legal sense. It is a sin – a movement towards non-existence – a movement away from the proper direction of our lives.
And it is from the depths of our non-existence that we cry out to God for mercy. Seeing His Beauty we forget ourselves (and our money, etc.) and we call out to the One who has called out to us. In our longing for His Beauty we love Him and are drawn to His Goodness. We give to the one who has need: “my brother is my life.”
When the game of life is over it all goes back in the box. – Born to Run, Andy Stanley.
What have you done for eternity?
See Tim Keller Podcast: Converted by the Resurrection
JOHN PATRICK 