My Life in Our Father's World

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

I have seen an alarming rise in people who subscribe to the ideals preached in the prosperity gospel movement. One can find numerous books, articles & blog posts that claim that God wants us all to be rich and that wealth somehow equates to how “religious” the person is.

However, I find this thinking to be flawed. I can find no place in the Bible that equates our worthiness for heaven to the size of our bank account.

First we are told in Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV that our treasure (riches) should be stored in heaven.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

If the prosperity gospel were true why wouldn’t Jesus assure us that all our earthly wealth will be waiting for us in Heaven?

Next, consider the story of the poor widow in Luke 21:1-4 (NKJV). In this account Jesus tells us that the gift of the widow is far more valuable than the gifts from the rich.

‘And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”‘

My final point comes from Matthew 19:24 NKJV.

“And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

After reading this why would anyone want to be rich. I certainly don’t.

I did not include the plethora of verses about greed, covetousness or pride, but further research on those topics will only further prove my point.

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11 comments

  1. I agree! The Bible never promises riches or wealth. And Jeremiah 29:11 is taken out of context quite often, but it isn’t a promise of health and wealth.

    I’ve also noticed that prosperity teachers avoid the Book of Job like the plague…

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  2. Powerful observation Barb, the bible says, Seek first the kingdom of God and then ALL THIS THINGS PAGANS RUN AFTER WILL BE ADDED TO YOU. It is not our duty to seek or want wealth, wealth comes out of the abundance of the Heavens.

    Our obedience in seeking God and living according to His ways causes Him to open up the flood gates of Heaven on us.

    The Bible says, there is no man who seeks God whose children beg for bread down the streets.

    seeking God brings wealth.

    Let us concentrate on seeking God, Let our preaching point people to seek God and let our lifestyle, point those who see us to seek God.

    Love,
    Cynthia.

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  3. Hmmmm hmmm hmmm….
    I dont want/strive to be rich ..but I dont mind being rich….
    I think money does not guarantee happiness…in fact it brings upon so many negatives including jealousy and hypocrisy and stress and restlessness.
    It does not guarantee happiness ….
    Rich people dont have no problems….
    But there’s one less thing to worry about at least….
    So I dont mind having money….but I dont base my entire life upon it

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  4. Jesus spent a lot of time teaching about money, possessions and the trappings of the material world. I believe He focused on this topic often because He was/is well aware of the death-grip so many folks have on their stuff. Of the many blessings I thank Him for each day, toward the top of the list is that He has removed the desire for worldly wealth because it is as you pointed out Barb, fleeting, with no eternal value.

    Once the obsession to acquire more has been removed, the ability to appreciate what He provides for us can grow. By nurturing this, I now count myself as one of the richest people I know!
    Blessings,
    Chuck

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