ABOUT WEALTH

1. What does the Bible say about WEALTH?

a) Some people believe it is a sin for a Christian to be rich. There are certainly many believers who do not have much, while others are fairly well-off. It is not the riches that are the problem but how it is used. In fact, God's definition of a "good man" includes attaining enough wealth to leave an inheritance for future generations.

i) "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous." (Proverbs 13:22).

b) Another reason for attaining wealth, based on the Bible, is so that we can help those who are poor, many times through circumstances beyond their control.

i) "He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and He will pay back what he has given." (19:17, see also 28:27)

c) When we give in the service of God we make him our partner and benefit in a variety of ways.

i) Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; (Proverbs 3:9-10).  

ii) "The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself." (11:25)

iii) "He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor." (22:9)

d) One of the great principles regulating prosperity is Proverbs 21:17:

i) "He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.''

2. First Things First

a) We are told that "in all labor there is profit" (Proverbs 14:23). While all work is profitable, some efforts have far greater payoffs than others. Making sure that we do those things that have the highest benefit first is important. Talk with no work gets nothing done. All the talk in the world will accomplish nothing if no action is taken.

i) "He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows frivolity (worthless pursuits) will have poverty enough! " (Proverbs 28:19).

b) The Bible tells us that being diligent - day in and day out - will eventually lead to leadership and prosperity:

i) "The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor. " (Proverbs 12:24).

3. Is there anything BETTER than riches?

a) There are things that are better than riches and we need to heed the Biblical wisdom regarding them. A good name is better than riches (Proverbs 22:1).

b) To forge and protect one's reputation is paramount. Wisdom is also better than gold (Proverbs 16:16).

c) There are things money cannot buy. Parents can give an inheritance but only God can supply a good wife (Proverbs 19:14). And of all the decisions one makes in this lifetime, the choice of a mate is probably the most important in determining one's overall happiness and contentment as well as success.

4. A Illusion

a) Riches can deceive. Their is an illusion they can bring. Wealth SEEMS to protect us like a fortress (Proverbs 10:15) and the rich man thinks money is a high protective wall (Proverbs 18:11). But they do not profit in the day of wrath (Proverbs 11:4). And the person who trusts in his riches will fall (Proverbs 11:28) and though he considers it as protection it is simply his own vanity (Proverbs 18:11, see also 11:4, 28).

i) "The rich man's wealth is his strong city; The destruction of the poor is their poverty." (Proverbs 10:15)

5. The Love of Money

a) Lastly, the Bible tells us that lusting after money and goods can lead to all kinds of sins and sorrows (1 Timothy 6:6-10). Love God and use wealth as a means to serve and help others.