How do we reconcile the warning and sometimes even the condemnation of the rich in the Bible with other passages that promise wealth to the obedient in the faith?
For instance, Deut. 8:18: “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”
God brought the Jews out of Egyptian bondage with the silver and gold of Egypt; he promised them a land that flowed with milk and honey. But what did they do with the gold? Aaron melted it down and instructed the people to bow down to a golden calf.
Make sure we do not make an idol of our doctrines of health and wealth.
“We must seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and the things which sustain life will be added unto us.”—Matthew 6:33.
If our heavenly father takes care of the fowl of the air, he can certainly provide for us. The lilies of the field are arrayed better than Solomon ever was. We can expect to be clothed better than the grass of the field.
Paul promised the Philippians, “My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (4:19).”
The Philippians had been generous to support Paul in his mission. Therefore, God blessed them abundantly. The Philippians were determined to use their resources to help Paul established the New Covenant among the nations of the world. The more wealth that the church has the better it can fulfill the Great Commission.
Proverbs teaches us how we can leave an inheritance for our grandchildren. A nation is only as strong as it’s churches and its families. “21Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things. 22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. 23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.”—Prov 13.
Present Trump was elected to make America great and wealthy again. To do this he must have the backing of the church, which needs not to be ashamed of wealth and success.
The riches that the Bible warns against are ill-gained riches or gained primarily to consume upon our own lusts. This unrighteous mammon is stored up for the righteous.
We should be content in what we have for the present. The covetous can’t enjoy what they have because they are craving for more, never satisfied. However, present contentment should not eliminate ambition to improve our estate.
Wealth is gained over the long-run through wise investments and hard work, not the lottery. Fields need to be plowed; we have too much unfallowed ground in America. Oftentimes the poor are poor because they will not till the soil (talents) they have. Christians need to put their hands to the plow. Be careful about get rich quick schemes, cheating and fraud or promoting socialists’ schemes for redistributing the wealth.
Beware of the unrighteous mammon!
