There is an array of perspectives regarding Christianity and wealth. Some truth, some lies and a lot of confusion, leaves many Christians with serious questions regarding their financial pursuits. I have tried to keep the issue of Christian wealth building Biblical and balanced. My answer lies below:
“Then He said to them, ‘Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.’ And He told them a parable, saying, ‘The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:15-21)
“But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.” (Phil. 2:17)
Perhaps the easiest place to start is to dispell the lies. It is not sinful for a Christian to build wealth, nor is building wealth necessary for any sort of elevated spirituality. Wealth building or the lack thereof can be signs of deeper realities for good or ill. Humanity, with its variance of convictions, circumstances and motivations is nearly impossible to fit into a one size fits all category. So, I must simply stick to the guidelines outlined in God’s word and allow His Spirit to balance your budget.
How should a Christian build wealth? First, I must say that it is not a necessary step or sign of spiritual maturity. Some, like several of the disciples and spiritual giants throughout church history, may choose a life of poverty. This is noble when done with a motivation from the heart and not an attempt at allowing the external to determine the internal. However, there have also been “spiritual giants” in the Word and the world that have lived lives of prosperity. What to make of these extremes?
The answer to these questions, and many like it revolve around a simple question: Why are you building wealth?
The Bible allows for freedom to live in all economic stratospheres, but several warnings must be taken to heart. First, as Jesus’ parable points about- the Bible is strong in its criticism of what I like to call “Prosperity Without Generosity”. The parable of the rich fool points out that striving to be rich towards God is to be first and foremost. Secondly, it reveals that prosperity for the sole purpose of self-indulgence, ease and luxury is ultimately vain.
Paul, in contrast to the rich fool, saw his life being poured out for the Phillippians. This gave him a rejoicing and joy of much greater depth than the rich fool’s, “eat, drink, and be merry”. So…
How should the Christian build wealth?
1. While being rich towards God first and foremost.
2. Constantly asking yourself, “Am I storing or pouring”? For a Christian’s wealth building to be healthy and not a hindrance, it must be done with an attention and motivation of blessing the work of God in the world and the needs of others before self. Do you seek to store up treasure for yourself, or pour out blessing on others? Building wealth for yourself is perfectly acceptable (saving for retirement for example), but should not be the sole source of your aspirations. This will lead you down a destructive road of dissatisfaction.
If you keep these two rules in mind, you will be rich indeed no matter how much money you have. “For not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
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