Is It Wrong for Christians to Be Rich?

Summary

Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.

The question — and the thesis: not a sin, but a pause

• The question posed (in the host's frame): today is tax day here (as the host notes) — a good day to talk about money. In a previous episode you addressed the so-called Prosperity Gospel — this idea that believers will prosper financially if they're doing God's will. But there's a flip side to that, that has arisen, partly rooted in an incident we find in the synoptic gospels. Jesus meets a man that has come to be known as the Rich Young Ruler. The Rich Young Ruler famously asks: what must I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus tells him: if you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor — and you'll have treasure in heaven — and come, follow me. And then Jesus follows that up by telling his disciples: it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. (Those verses are from the chapter in Matthew that the host names.) Here's the question: does Jesus really want his followers to take a vow of poverty — sell everything they have, give the money to charity, and then live like poppers (as the word is heard)? How are we supposed to make sense of Jesus' words here? His answer: it's not a sin to be rich. But having money, and having possessions, should give us pause. We should take the teachings of Jesus very seriously. We shouldn't try to just evade this. So what you just described is what I would consider a hard saying of Jesus — because if you take it seriously, it makes you really think. So here was a rich ruler: he wanted to follow Jesus; it seems that maybe he would have liked to become one of the apostles, perhaps. And Jesus told him he needed to follow all the teachings of the Bible. He says: I've done that. Jesus had compassion on him — you study it in Matthew, and in Mark. He was really warning him. He said: you're really lacking one thing: you love money more than you love God. You say you've kept all the Ten Commandments — but the first commandment is: you shall have no other gods before me. And you have a god: it's your money. And of course, all the law and the prophets, Jesus said — or summed up: love God; love your neighbors as yourself. So the second problem you have is: you don't care about other people. So if you really want to humble your will: if you will go, sell what you have, give to the poor, and follow me — then you can be my disciple. So it looks like Jesus was focusing on, first of all, his idolatry — he really worshiped money — and second of all, his lack of compassion for the needy. And Jesus saw that if he would sell his possessions, give to the poor, come follow the Lord, then that would take care of the issues of his heart.

Scriptures: Matthew 19

Not a universal command: the early church kept homes and incomes

• Now, does that mean every Christian needs to do the same? I think: absolutely not (the delivered text emphasizes 'ABS no'). That was a specific command to a specific young person. We see this in the New Testament: because, yes, the early church in Acts — they did sell possessions and give to the apostles, to help support the church, and particularly the poor. But yet, you find them doing it in Acts 2; you find them doing it again in Acts 4 and Acts 5. So apparently they didn't sell everything all at once; it wasn't like they lived in a commune. And then you find: Mark's mother had a home where they met for prayer, in Acts 12 — so obviously they still kept homes; they still kept possessions; they still had pieces of property that they could sell later. So you might pick a couple of Scriptures out, say: yeah, they all sold everything and lived in a commune. But obviously not. So then, 1 Corinthians 16: Paul says: once a week, when you meet on the first day of the week, on Sunday, you know, set aside an offering — and when I come, or I'll send someone to collect it, we're going to bring some money to Jerusalem to help the poor. So obviously, if they're taking weekly offerings, they must have had a regular income; they must have had possessions. In fact, the early church met in homes: Romans chapter 16 indicates there are five house churches that Paul addressed. So somebody had to have a home. So it's not telling everybody to sell everything you have. But it is forcing us to think: do I really love God, more than my money, or my possessions?

Scriptures: Acts 2; Acts 4; Acts 5; Acts 12; 1 Corinthians 16; Romans 16

Dangerous, not impossible — and the sober stewardship it demands

• I don't think it's wrong to be rich. But Jesus said it's dangerous, and it's hard for a rich man to go to heaven. And of course, that shocked the apostles — because the Jewish philosophy of the first century was not unlike what we discuss as the Prosperity Gospel: that if you're really serving God, you'll be blessed. Which, that's true — but maybe not all the blessings are financial. And therefore, a rich person must be very blessed of God — which, that's not necessarily a true thing. So very evil people may have a — a fortune. So not everything played out in this life, you know. So the book of Proverbs gives general statements: that if you're evil, you're going to suffer, and if you're righteous, you'll prosper. But that's a general rule; it doesn't always happen, all the time, in every life. And some things are not set right until the Judgment. So Jesus' comment shocked the apostles, because — like everybody — they wanted to be rich. And it surprised them, because in their theology, if someone's rich, it means they're blessed. And Jesus said: someone's rich — he can barely go to heaven. And so they recall in shock: well, who can be saved? Because everybody wants money. And Jesus: well, I didn't say it was impossible, because, you know, with God all things are possible. So he kind of gave them a little hope. But don't — let's not just wipe this out by the comments I've made to this point, to say: well, don't worry about it; you know, you can be rich; no. I think we need to take it seriously. Jesus is saying: if you've got lots of money, lots of possessions, you've got to think very carefully and soberly, to make sure you're putting God first — the kingdom of God first. That you're being a good steward: not just paying 10% (heard as 'ties'), but 100% of your income and your possessions belong to God. You're to be a good steward of everything that God has given you. You should live moderately. You should give generously to the poor and needy. You should take care of your family.

Scriptures: Proverbs (book-only)

The sphere-of-influence duty — and James on faith that helps

• And of course, in our society, we have things like Social Security, and Medicare, and Medicaid, and Welfare — so we have institutionalized that. But if there's someone in your sphere of influence, that you could really make a difference in their life — and I'm not saying you just have to give to every stranger, or that you have to pass out money to everybody on the street, because you may not actually be helping them at all. But if you're in a relationship with them, or your church is in a relationship with them, where you could actually help them — well, then we should. And especially those in the church, or those who come within our sphere of influence: we should not allow them to go hungry, or destitute of clothing and shelter. So the book of James talks about that: if you say you have faith, and you don't demonstrate your faith by helping people — you just say: be warm, be filled — and you don't actually help them, then you're not being a good Christian.
• So, I think the words of Jesus do tell us: be careful of idolatry; be a good steward. Make sure, if God has blessed you: so if you have a good home — are you willing to open it for fellowship, and for Bible studies? If you have a car — are you willing to pick up people, bring them to church? You know, are you willing to expend your resources for the kingdom of God?

Scriptures: James (book-only)

The reading: 1 Timothy 6 — contentment, the love of money, and the rich commanded

• And we do, of course, have very strong teaching in First Timothy about some of these things. So I'd like to read it. And I think the reason why this is so important: as I'm speaking here in North America — by the standards of people throughout history, most of us in North America are rich. And by the standards of the rest of the world, most of us in North America, as well as Europe, a few other places — we're wealthy. And so we shouldn't just assume this applies to multi-millionaires — this applies to Bill Gates, doesn't apply to me. Actually, in a biblical context, it probably does apply to me. Even the people that are considered poor in our society — I'm not denying their real needs — but most of them have a base of income from the government; most of them have one or more cars, various appliances, TVs, cell phones — things that would be luxuries just a generation ago. And one of the problems is not physical lack of food, but maybe junk food, and food that's not nutritious. But it's a little different from someone who's literally starving to death. So I think we have to look at this carefully. So in 1 Timothy chapter 6, there's a warning against false teachers. And I'm picking up in verse 5 — 1 Timothy 6:5, New King James: who suppose that godliness is a means of gain; from such withdraw yourself. So there's going to be certain people — even teachers in the church — that they use religiosity, or ministry, as a means of getting money; a means of deceiving people, or fleecing people, or enriching themselves unjustly. And instead, here's what we should think: now, godliness with contentment is great gain. So pursuing godliness, and being content with what God has given you — that's where you're truly blessed. So it's not just blessed in a worldly sense, but blessed in a spiritual sense — which is not the same. For we brought nothing into this world; it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. So if God has supplied our basic needs, we should be content. We should not complain; we should not strive; we should certainly not do anything unethical, illegal, immoral.
• But those who desire to be rich — so if that is your strong priority — he didn't say it's a sin, but he says: those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts, which drown men in destruction and predition (as heard, for perdition). For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. For — so he didn't say money is evil: it's just a tool, could be used for good or bad. But love of money — now, a rich person could be greedy, and want to amass more; becomes a way of keeping score. But also, a poor person could feel resentful, and have real needs, but their number one goal is not seeking God, but: I've got to get more money. So it's not a matter of whether you're rich or poor — but the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil — for which some have strayed from the faith, in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. So there's a strong warning. But now, going to verse 17: command those who are rich in this present age not to be hoty (as heard, for haughty), nor to trust in certain riches (as read), but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share — storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. So I guess, to answer your question: it is possible for Christians to be rich, because he says: command those who are rich. But if you are rich — which is most of us, in biblical terms — don't be proud; don't trust in your riches. But enjoy what God has given. But be rich in good works: be known as a worker; don't be consumed with your business — you don't have time for the work of God. Be willing to humble yourself, and volunteer for the church. And ready to give: you're first to give — to the kingdom of God, to missions, to needy people. Willing to share: share what God has given you, with other people that are less fortunate. Store up for yourselves — and here he's talking about: when you give to God's kingdom, you're actually giving to eternal values. It doesn't mean you can earn your way into heaven. But it does mean to use your money wisely, so that it has an eternal benefit — because then you will be blessed in eternity, if you've used your money as a good steward.

Scriptures: 1 Timothy 6:5-10; 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Giving with discernment [captured text ends mid-sentence]

• You know, Jesus also said in the Sermon on the Mount: give to those who ask. And if someone wants to borrow from you, you know, don't turn them away. But again, I think in that context, it's not talking about modern business ventures, where I come to you and say: you know, look, I need $10,000 to start a business. I'm asking you, as a Christian: loan me the money; you have $10,000; take it out of your retirement; give it to me. God — Jesus — demanded that? No. He's talking about ordinary relationships: someone — why would they borrow? Because they need food; you know, they're needy. So if someone is asking you for help: don't turn them away; give something to them. If they want to borrow something, to meet their needs, and you have ability to help them — well, help them. Again, it's not talking about unlimited; it's not talking about anybody who asks, even though it's not going to be wisely used. As a pastor, I used to say: look, if you have a family member, or personal friend, or co-worker (heard once as 'cooworker'), you know their situation, you know their need, and you can help them with food, or rent, or clothes — and you know what it's going for, and you know it's a temporary situation, by helping you can make a difference; you know, they've got a job, or they're going to get a job, or they're going through a training program, and you can help them — well, do it. Now, if there's someone in the church that you don't really know, and they approach you: refer that to the pastor; refer that to the church. We will help the person. But there are too many cases where somebody's going to 10 different families in the church, soliciting — as, you know, their way of avoiding work. And they need to be held accountable; and they need to be helped. And so the church can help.
• And as a pastor, I also would invest in things like Salvation Army, and food for the homeless, and Housing Association. And I would — if there are people that weren't personally connected to the church, that we were not able to help them directly — well, we would say: look, we're not equipped to help the general public. But we do donate to groups that screen people, and they do have plans; they do have training. So we'll be happy to refer you to them, and we'll be happy to support them. So we're not shirking (heard as 'shering') our civic responsibility — but we want to do it in a productive way. So the words of Jesus do not go through all those details: of how to hold people accountable, how to train them, how to help them get jobs, how to help people in the community. But he's talking about the attitude that we should have, as Christians. So if God has blessed us with wealth: we should be a good steward; be generous; be moderate; support the kingdom of God. If we're lacking in wealth, and we are striving to get ahead: that's okay, to a point. But don't let the love of money get a hold of your heart. And understand that God's richest blessings are not primarily financial. And if you are grasping after money — whether you already have a lot, or where you don't — but if that's your number one goal, you're setting yourself up for temptation; you may fall into the— [the captured text ends here, mid-sentence; the answer's closing words and the podcast outro were not captured — see the coverage flag on the record; nothing has been invented to fill the tail]

Scripture index: Matthew 19; Acts 2; Acts 4; Acts 5; Acts 12; 1 Corinthians 16; Romans 16; Proverbs (book-only); James (book-only); 1 Timothy 6:5-10; 1 Timothy 6:17-19.