I don’t know when my concept of wealth got messed up. It must have been during my college days when I was influenced by so many ideas from what I read, the movies and shows I watched, and the people I listened to.
So when Scott was getting his MBA, I thought hard on some of my ideas about business and money. At the time most of the wealthy people were those that had businesses and our small city had a heated debate about the big box stores that were coming into the area.
In my head were sayings such as “Money is the root of all evil,” “You cannot serve God and money,” and “It is harder for a rich person to get to heaven than a camel to go through the eye of a needle.”
I had to look into the Believers Instruction Book: Living Edition to straighten out my thinking. Money itself was not the root of all evil but the love of money. God wants us to seek Him first, not wealth. Jesus said it twice that it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. But two verses down, He responds to the question of “Who then can be saved?“ with “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
Wealth is not necessarily good or evil, a blessing or a curse. Wealth is from God who created everything and so owns everything. We are to be good stewards for all that He gives us whether plenty or little.
Paul gave Timothy the following instructions to teach the rich in the Ephesian church. Even if we don’t consider ourselves rich, it’s a good idea to follow them because there will be someone who sees us as being wealthy.
Do not be proud. Be careful not to say, “I am wealthy because of my power and strength.” It is the Lord your God who gives us the ability to gain wealth.
Do not trust in riches. Wealth is unreliable. Trust in God who richly gives us all we need to enjoy.
Do good. Be rich in good deeds. We are God’s masterpiece. So we can do good works.
Be generous and share. Our natural tendency is to keep what we have but since what we have doesn’t belong to us, we should be willing to share and give.
Wealth is not a sin. It is stewardship of what God has blessed us with to serve others.
Prayer
Dear God in heaven,
Thank you for being so generous so that we can be generous to others. Give us wisdom to know how to use the wealth You’ve given us to glorify You. Help us to be a blessing to others with the blessings You have given us.
In Your Son’s name, Amen
Verses
1 Timothy 6:10; 17-18
Luke 16:13; 18:24-27
Matthew 19:23-26
Mark 10:23-27
Deuteronomy 8:17-18
Ephesians 2:10
Song
“My Worth Is Not In What I Own“ by Keith and Kristyn Getty
Call to Action
If you have already prayed, looked up the verses in your Bible, and listened to the suggested song, then read the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 and share your takeaways.