I’ve seen some sentiment recently “shaming” rich people. One said that the category of billionaires should not be allowed to exist because no one should have that much more money than anyone else.
Is it a sin to be rich? The Bible has much more to say about the subject than can be contained in one blog post, but here are a few thoughts.
Some of the patriarchs were rich: Abraham, Job, David, Solomon. Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man who took Jesus’ body from the cross and laid it in his own tomb (Matthew 27:57). There were also bad people in the Bible who were rich: Nabal in the Old Testament and the rich man at whose gate Lazarus stayed (Luke 16) as well as others. So just the fact of having riches doesn’t indicate whether one is good or bad.
Problems and dangers of riches
There are some who gain riches unjustly, and they are certainly wrong, grasping for more than God intended for them and oppressing others to do so. Some put all rich people in this category, but not all fit.
Yet God does warn that “those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:9-10). Notice it doesn’t say money is the root of all kinds of evil, but the love of money is.
There are certainly dangers to being rich. One of the worst is trusting riches instead of God.
See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction! Psalm 52:7
If riches increase, set not your heart on them. Psalm 62:10b
Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. Proverbs 11:28
Another danger is that “the deceitfulness of riches” can choke the Word of God from taking root in the soul (Matthew 13:18-23). Jeremiah told Jehoiakim: “I spoke to you in your prosperity, but you said, ‘I will not listen’” (Jeremiah 22:21). Jesus warned “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). He told of a rich man who increased in goods and built bigger barns but neglected his soul, concluding:
But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:13-21).
Jesus told His disciples:
Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person 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 person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:16-26).
Lady Selina Shirley Huntingdon used to say she was “saved by an M,” pointing out that 1 Corinthians 1:26 did not say “not any noble,” but rather that “not many noble” after the flesh are called. She rejoiced to be counted among those called and used her wealth and influence to further the cause of Christ.
Not all rich people are oppressive, but the Bible warns those who are:
Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. Proverbs 22:16
Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch, so is he who gets riches but not by justice; in the midst of his days they will leave him, and at his end he will be a fool. Jeremiah 17:11 (see also Micah 6:10-16).
Righteous poor are better than evil rich:
Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked (Psalm 37:16).
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice (Proverbs 16:8).
Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. Proverbs 28:6
Riches are not reliable. The Bible warns in many places of the fleeting, temporary nature of riches (James 1:9-11). Proverbs 23:4-5 says of wealth: “suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.”
Right perspectives
In Psalm 73, Asaph is troubled over the prosperity of the wicked until he goes to the sanctuary and is reminded of their end. He encourages himself that God is with him and will take care of him.
David had the right perspective in 1 Chronicles 29. The people had just given tremendously toward the building of the temple. Overwhelmed and grateful, David prayed, “Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all” (verse 12). He went on to say, “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you” (verse 14). He acknowledged that everything he had came from God and was His in the first place.We’re only stewards of what God has entrusted us with.
Both riches and poverty have their own problems and temptations. I have often felt like Agur in Proverbs 30: 7-9, desiring to be somewhere between the two:
Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.
Jeremiah 9:22-24 clarifies: “Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.’”
After Timothy warns about the love of money, mentioned above, he says a few verses later:
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
He also encourages contentment: “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
James warns against partiality towards the rich (James 2:1-13) and has harsh words for those who “have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence” (James 5:1-6).
On the other hand we have the “prosperity gospel,” which promises believers that God will shower His followers with riches. Those who preach and follow this somehow miss all that the Bible says about trials, persecutions, contentment, and warnings about riches. But that’s another post for another day.
I have no problem with the person at the top receiving more money. After all, if you received a promotion that called for more responsibility, would you be nearly as excited about it if you didn’t also receive more compensation? However, the CEO shouldn’t be living in luxury while the lowest workers are living in poverty.
Practically speaking, it’s often the rich who provide jobs and put money into the economy. In one article I saw, a man who had come from a rich family wanted to turn his back on the lifestyle. Among the things he wanted to do away with was the yacht industry. But what about all the people who work in that industry, who would lose their jobs if that industry shut down?
Some rich people also begin and sustain charities.
A Sunday School teacher once commented that God needs and uses people at all economic levels, all classes, all types, to reach those within their influence.Wealthy people have a platform as well as money, and many use that influence for good.
We’re all richer than someone. If you’ve ever traveled to a third world country, you know that most Americans seem rich by comparison. Before we condemn the rich and advocate stringent measures towards them, we need to stop and evaluate our own position.
Lawbreaking, corrupt rich should be taken to court, of course. But is being rich in itself a sin? It depends. We need to seek God’s wisdom for making the best use of the resources He has allowed. In Christian history, some, like Lady Huntingdon, have used their wealth and position to help others and further the gospel. Others, like missionary C. T. Studd, have given almost everything away. Our ultimate example is Christ: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). Not rich with worldly goods: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3).
We don’t need to worry that some have more than others. We’re all accountable to God for what we do with what He gave us. When we know Him, we can be content, trusting Him to supply our needs. We’re not to covet or envy what others have; we’re to be generous and giving towards others.
I like how the writer of Ecclesiastes puts it: “In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him” (7:14). If God gives us plenty, we can enjoy it, being careful to do what Timothy said above by being generous towards others. If God allows adversity, we lean on Him and learn what He has for us.
(Sharing with Inspire me Monday, Global Blogging, Senior Salon, Kingdom Bloggers, Literary Musing Monday, Hearth and Home, Purposeful Faith, Tea and Word, Happy Now, InstaEncouragement, Anchored Abode, Recharge Wednesday, Wise Woman,
Share a Link Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee, HeartEncouragement, Grace and Truth,
Faith on Fire, Faith ‘n Friends)
Stray Thoughts 
Good study here! I like the Ecclesiastes 7:14 reference. Thank you. Sandy in the ð¬ð§
>
Thanks, Sandy!
This is a very well thought out and balanced post. Very good. Thank you for posting this.
Thank you, Homer.
I love the way you cover all the bases here. You’re right: there is sin and wrong at both extremes. I feel that wealth is currently not “PC” and gets a lot of bad press, yet I’m so grateful for people of wealth who have given money to help those less fortunate. As you said, it’s in the love of money that the problems start.
Thanks, Susan. That’s the vibe I’ve been getting, too, about wealth being not very PC right now. It’s easy to stereotype the rich as being selfish, wicked, oppressive, but that’s not always the case.
Rich? When is enough, enough? #GlobalBlogging
Well, the Bible does condemn covetousness, and some of the verses I mentioned warned of desiring to be rich, setting one’s heart on riches, etc. But to be rich via hard work, good investments, family inheritance, etc. isn’t wrong. But there is no clear dividing line between what’s enough, and it would probably be different for different people. But it’s not for me to say who has too much–that is between them and God. I’m to be content with what He has given me.
IT’s hard to find a balance, isn’t it!
What a great balanced post on this subject!
Thanks, Donna.
Love this! I don’t need money to be rich in love or faith.
Thank you, Tara. That’s so true!
Barbara, you have done such a wonderful job in this post! You brought out examples of people in the Scriptures, warnings from the Bible about riches, and the right mindset and heart perspective toward riches and money. Thank you. I’m bookmarking this to reference for when I need this clarity again in talking with others. And will of course, give you credit for your awesome research and wisdom.
Thanks so much, Karen. I was blessed studying this out.
I love how you address this thorny subject, Barbara. It’s one I struggle with when I see some friends who have so very little, and others of us with more than we need. “We don’t need to worry that some have more than others. We’re all accountable to God for what we do with what He gave us.” May we each be good stewards with what we’ve been given (and give away), and drop the guilt about it.
Thank you, Lisa. A while back I heard someone say that we shouldn’t say God blessed us with such-and-such, because that would make people that hadn’t been so blessed sad. But where do our blessings come from? As parents, we think treating our kids equally means giving everyone the same amount of the same things. But God has different things to teach us about faith and obedience, and He tailors what He gives to what He wants to teach each one. I wish I had thought to say this in the post. 🙂
I love that Proverbs 30 verse, Barbara. It lets God be God and the prayer helps our heart to be in the right place no matter how He chooses to bless us.
That’s one of my favorites. I don’t know if I would trust myself with riches, but then I’d have other temptations in poverty. God knows just what each of His children needs.
This is an area where it is so easy to compare, to judge and to criticize – which are all pitfalls on their own. I always enjoy how well-thought-out your posts are…filled with Bible truth. Thanks for tackling this subject.
Thanks so much, Jennifer. Yes–all of those reactions can be temptations for both rich and poor and all of us in-between.
This is full of good advice. This is a topic we were discussing in our church small group last week so it is interesting to read your thoughts on it too.
Thank you, Lesley!
I certainly don’t think it’s a sin to be rich. However, I do agree it could be problematic. I’d love to be rich! LOL Who wouldn’t? But God in His wisdom knows that I wouldn’t give it all away like I think in my mind that I would.
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
I think I’d be too self-indulgent if I was rich. Yet we always want just a little more than what we have. I love that prayer in Proverbs 30 about asking God for neither poverty or riches, but what’s just right for each of us.
Pingback: End of October Musings | Stray Thoughts
You are delving into some intriguing topics these days, Barbara, and as I read, it occurred to me that the greater danger for all of us is self-sufficiency– a sin available to all income brackets!
Yes–I was thinking that about covetousness and envy, too. Those are things we’re all prone to.
Money is always a tricky topic, especially in Christian circles. I think part of that is because we struggle to be in the world but not of the world. But then we hear about blessings and think God wants blessings for us too. The only thing I know for sure is that we understand *in part*!
Yes–I can’t figure out why some to have excess and some not enough, in other things as well as money. But God has promised to supply the needs of all His children.
“We’re only stewards of what God has entrusted us with.” This is so true, and what God has blessed us with we should bless others.
Amen. When we desire more, we don’t always think in terms of having more to bless others–but that’s what we should be thinking.
I love the Ecclesiastes verse! You covered a tough subject very well. No matter where we stand financially we need to listen and obey in trust, doing as the Lord directs. Everything belongs to Him we are just stewards! Our heart attitude is what is important to Him! Great post!
Amen, Cheryl, and thank you for your kind words.
I’ve often wished I were rich and told myself that I would use the money for God, but if I don’t do that when I’m poor, there’s little chance of me sharing when I’m rich. You’re right–we are all wealthier than someone else, and we need to share our blessings generously.
That’s true–If I am too self-indulgent with what I have now, I’d be even more so if I had more. God promises to meet all His children’s needs and calls us all to be generous as well. I often think of the churches in Macedonia that Paul mentioned who gave out of their poverty.
This is a comprehensive and balanced look at a sticky subject. I have had a very blessed life, and sometimes feel guilty. I have to constantly search my heart and steward what God has given me carefully, holding what I have lightly, remembering that it doesn’t belong to me but to God.
I like what Christine above says. I feel the same way!! the Lord blessed my husband with an excellent salary and we have had to learn to steward it well. It’s been work but we are thankful.
That’s so true, Christine, no matter how much we have.
being rich is definitely not a sin. Worshipping/idolizing the things the money (or the money itself) buys IS a sin. the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. you can be a poor atheist or a rich Evangelical Christian. It’s what we do with our resources that matters to the Lord in my opinion. Sadly, American’s, unless they have traveled to an under-developed country/region are ALL rich compared to most of the world and yet still feel entitled to more and have no idea just how poor the rest of the world is. Money doesn’t buy happiness but it definitely isn’t a sin to have some and to use wisdom in saving. Plus, as a Christian, we are called to do life with others and sometimes this means sharing our wealth…..or giving it to missions, non-profits to further the kingdom etc.
Prosperity messages are damaging in so many ways. We’ve sat through churches (in the past…..not our church we call home and where we are covenant members since 2005…churches before we found this one) where the pastor and/or elders preached prosperity and it is downright unBiblical not to mention damaging to so many. I’ve seen couples and singles get hurt and question their faith when the Lord didn’t “Bless ” them with riches. The Bible never said we’d be rich monetarily speaking. However, if we follow the tithing principal and also save/invest wisely, we can see our hard earned money grow.
This was an excellent post. I’m going to point some of my friends to it! Thanks Barbara!
Thanks so much, Faith. Sometimes we don’t realize how much we have. If we even think back 100 years, what we think of as basic would seem like luxuries to them.
This is a great balanced post, Barbara. May we all be good stewards of whatever God gives us and keep our hearts wholly after Him.
Thank you, Kelly, and Amen.
Pingback: #SeniSal Roundup: Oct 28 -Nov 1, 2019 ~ Esme Salon
Very good point about us all being relatively rich to someone else. #GlobalBlogging
Thanks for sharing your post on Grace & Truth, Barbara. I totally agree that there is nothing wrong with being wealthy – it’s how we love people that matters.
Pingback: When Not To Be Minimalist | Stray Thoughts