Does God want us to be wealthy?
The Bible issues several warnings against the love of money and the snare of wealth (1 Timothy 3:3; 6:10), but in Proverbs 30:8–9,
Finally, 1 Timothy 6:17-18 offers divine instructions for the wealthy among us. The passage reads: “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.
God does want each of us to be rich in every possible way -- health, love, and peace of mind, as well as material possessions. God wants this, however, not just for our own sake, but for the sake of all humankind.
God is not against the proper use of money, material riches, or physical wealth. A number of God's true servants were very wealthy, like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, King David, King Solomon, Joseph of Arimathea, and some others. Physical abundance and material wealth is one of God's blessings.
One of God's purposes for wealth is to build a relationship with us. How God guides you to use your money will reflect who He created you to be. In other words, wealth is a way to participate in the creative process with God. 1 Corinthians 3:9 (ESV) says, “For we are God's fellow workers.
But Jesus qualified His shocking statement by saying, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God” (Luke 18:27, amp). Just as it's impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, it's impossible with people—but not with God—for a rich man to enter Heaven.
Jesus recognizes the symptoms and says, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:24-25). By contrast, the poor often show amazing generosity.
While tithing 10% of your income is biblical, that doesn't mean you have to be a Christian to tithe. It also doesn't mean you're a bad Christian if you don't tithe.
The Bible says that “the LOVE of money is the root of all evil”. So therefore, money is not good or bad. It is the pursuit of money for money's sake and the perception that power and position automatically comes with money that makes it bad. A person with money can do wonderful things with their money.
One can indeed be rich and be a Christian, but one cannot worship God and Mammon (money). Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and do not worry what else gets added to you in this life, whether much or little.
Where in the Bible does it say God wants us to be wealthy?
Proverbs 10:22: The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. 2 Corinthians 9:8: And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
God wants you to be able to earn money. Proverbs 13:11 says this, “He who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” He who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
Luke 6:20-21 (NIV)
“Looking at his disciples, he said: 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. '”
The answer is if you practice sin, you WILL NOT go to heaven. You will go to hell to spend an eternity of torment away from God's presence and goodness and glory.
King Solomon takes the first place. Job -called in the Bible the richest man in the East-second and Abraham the third.
Our treasures are the gifts that God has given us to use for His glory. Our treasures consist of time, talents, energy, creativity, and material wealth. Of course, all these belong to God anyway. In fact, we owe our whole lives to Him in gratitude for what He has given us in Christ Jesus.
Yet, it's simply inaccurate (and inappropriate) to say Jesus spoke more about finances than anything else. It's just not true. If anything, he spoke more about the kingdom of God than other topics.
Money is a tool God uses to help us live and love like Jesus. Regardless of how much—or how little—money you have, God is at work in your life through your circ*mstances. He is leading you to a deeper trust in him.
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and will be repaid in full” (Proverbs 19:17). “If one shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered” (Proverbs 21:13). “Oppressing the poor in order to enrich oneself, and giving to the rich, will lead only to loss” (Proverbs 22:16).
As a result, you can never be under a curse, you can never rob God because there is no longer a requirement or a necessity to pay a tithe. God cannot accept the payment of tithes because of what Jesus has done. But God will accept you GIVING A TITHE. He will not punish you if you do not give a tithe.
What happens when you give money to God?
The truth of God's tithes and offerings is that we bring ourselves closer to Him when we give. Jesus says in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Giving tithes and offerings puts our love for God before our worldly wealth and shows that our heart is always with Him.
While the Bible does not explicitly label laziness as a sin, a lifestyle characterized by it does not align with the principles of diligence, stewardship, and responsibility that are encouraged in Scripture. Laziness is an avoidance of duties rooted in the heart of selfishness.
The Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, betting, or the lottery . The Bible does warn us, however, to stay away from the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10 ; Hebrews 13:5 ). Scripture also encourages us to stay away from attempts to “get rich quick” (Proverbs 13:11 ; 23:5 ; Ecclesiastes 5:10 ).
It is not about your home being extravagant or humble; it is about it being used to spread Christ's love (Romans 12:13). Indeed, wealth allows us to practice the rich tradition of faith, providing for our family, and hosting friends in our homes. Wealth allows us to fund Kingdom business (1 Kings 5-7; Luke 8:1-3).
But Scripture tells us that God loves the poor. He is on their side simply because they are still persons worthy of respect. And in their helplessness, they put their trust in God.
