There are many of us who desire to possess greater wealth, whether it be in the form of money, land, valuable items, a large business empire, or countless other things that we can aspire to acquire. The list of such desires can seem endless for each of us in the world. While we have this desires, how does God look at the earthly blessing, answer to this is given by King Solomon in Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NIV) 'Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. '
From God's perspective, our wealth and riches hold no value or significance, thats why its written “MeaningLess”. Whether we possess a multi-million mansion, an impressive business empire, or any other material possessions, they are all considered worthless in the eyes of God.
Why do people continuously seek to accumulate more wealth, never satisfied with what they already possess? It is because they lack the godly character of contentment, causing them to always want more. I am certain that many of us can relate to this desire of wanting more.
When we eat a dish we love, such as a bowl of biryani, our stomach sends signals to our brain to stop eating once we are full, even if there is just a spoonful or two left. However, when it comes to matters of money, we never seem to feel content. Our desire for wealth is insatiable, and our hearts continually long for more, causing us to never be satisfied. Our life is how Jesus described in Matthew 6:21 (NIV) - 'For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. '
Question to ask - Are you Poor or Rich ?
Some of us say, I am poor brother, I don’t own anything so this message may not apply to me, how does God look each of us if we are poor or rich enough ?
Luke 21:1-4 (NIV) - 'As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “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 18:18-22 (NIV) - 'A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’ ” “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” '
Following Biblical principles, everyone in the world is considered rich except for beggars and those who are in extreme poverty. If you have any possessions or savings for yourself, then you are considered to be wealthy enough. Don’t take the lame excuse that you are too poor.
Question to ask - Is it wrong to be Rich ?
This begs the question, if we are rich, is it wrong to be Rich ? and can you still seek God ? and be Godly ? is being rich a Sin ?
Being Rich is not Sin or there is nothing wrong about being Rich, in-fact God wants us to have all the blessings when are in the world for us to enjoy. But at the same time he warns, Rich will find it hard to enter the kingdom of God Luke 18:24-25 (NIV) - 'Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich 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 rich to enter the kingdom of God.” '
As we become wealthier, our minds become preoccupied with various things. We start to depend on the wealth we have accumulated, and it occupies a significant portion of our thoughts.
The accumulation of wealth can lead to arrogance and idolatry, as we become consumed with buying, selling, and pursuing profit. Leaving Godly priorities.
There are many who were rich and served God and got the blessings from God as inheritance from God
1 ) Abraham - Abraham was wealthy, Genesis 24:35 we read a Senior Servant of Abraham testifying when he meets Laban
Genesis 24:35 (NIV) - 'The Lord has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. '
Even though he had wealth, his heart was not on them
Hebrews 11:9-10,16 (NIV) 'By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. '
He was Detached from the Wealth and lived a life of Stranger and in tents - The Word says “he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents”
He waited for God’s City - “he was looking forward to the city with foundations”
Attitude to wealth was - He had a better one in Heaven than what he had in earth “ Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one”
2) Job - Job was considered as greatest man in East and his wealth was amazing
Job 1:3 (NIV) - 'and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. '
He never put his trust in the richness he had, In Job 31:24-28 he tells the same to his friends.
Job 31:24-28 (NIV) - '“If I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’ if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, the fortune my hands had gained, if I have regarded the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor, so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand offered them a kiss of homage, then these also would be sins to be judged, for I would have been unfaithful to God on high. '
Even when he lost his wealth, he did not curse God. Instead, he remained humble before God and acknowledged that everything he had came from God. He recognized that it was ultimately God's will that prevailed, even in the face of loss.
Job 1:21 (NIV) - 'and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” '
What’s God’s advice for Rich
1) Be Generous with your richness
God expects us to be generous with the abundance we have been blessed with, in order to help those who are in need. Paul eloquently expresses this concept in his writings. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV) - '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, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. '
God asks us to be generous with people who are poor, its one of the commands he gave to Moses Leviticus 19:9-10 (NIV) - '“ ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God. '
When you read the story of Lazarus, Why did the Rich man go to hell? Stealing? Murder? Adultery? No!, he was sent as he did not care for the beggar Luke 16:19-23,25 (NIV) - ' “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. '
2) Wealth & Death
The Bible connects riches too often with death— When Job lost all his wealth, this was his testimony Job 1:21 (NIV) - 'and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. ….”
At death we leave behind all we have, and take with us all we gave!
The key to richness and God is - “richness is to world” , “Heart is to God” - Live a life worthy to God with hearts devoted to God and not seek after the richness of world. That’s what Job did
3) Get rid of the Covetous attitude
The Bible does not prohibit us from having riches, but it warns us against becoming dependent on them. As God gives these richness only for our enjoyment 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV) - '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.
We mistake the richness we have and as ours and start indulging to go after that leading to the Covetous attitude in us which leads to Sin. Luke 12:15,20-21 (NIV) - 'Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” '
I read this advice from one of the mediations from Stanley R - Very true and hard to follow
If you have riches, let them be like flowers on a dead body
God’s advice is to set our heart on things for Christ and not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-3 (NIV) 'Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. '
We often compare ourselves to others who have become wealthy through hard work, and this can drive us to overwork in pursuit of riches. However, it is important to remember that we should only pursue wealth if it aligns with God's will and not solely based on our own desires or the influence of others.
God asks us to get rid of the Covetous attitude Psalms 49:16-19 (NIV) 'Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. Though while they live they count themselves blessed— and people praise you when you prosper— they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life. ' Psalms 49:12 (NIV) - 'People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. '
4) Desires of Heart -
If you walk with him and trust him, God will give desires of heart to see that richness
Psalms 37:4 (NIV) - 'Take delight in the Lord , and he will give you the desires of your heart. '
Proverbs 16:1-3 (NIV) - 'To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord . Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. '
5) Godly contentment -
Contentment is a blessing from God, it comes to us only if we start building our trust in God, the more you say, I need to trust in the wealth, you will continue to go in circles to find more with your wealth and never be content with what you have.
Contentment comes only if your heart is in God.
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) - '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.” '
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV) - 'Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth