For the Christian, money is the ultimate balancing act. To be rich is not ungodly. To be poor is not spiritual. But there is an ungodly way to be rich and there is a way to grow spiritually through poverty.
In a recent post I mentioned that I am a rich man when compared to those in the third world. What I did not mention (because I wanted you to struggle a little with that post) is that I don’t believe that it is a bad thing to be rich.
Through my wealth I am able to be a blessing to those around me. I employee two people. I provide critical transportation needs (like driving people to the hospital or providing transportation for church activities) because I own a vehicle. My home is open for Bible studies or meals. I don’t say this to brag, but to say that being wealthy in the presence of the poor is a blessing to both myself and the poor.
Being rich in the presence of the poor puts me in a unique position to help, to minister, and most importantly, witness to God’s goodness. Some may be called to give up everything while others are called to use their wealth to honor God.
Money and material things are not despised in the Bible. There are serious warnings about money, but there are also serious opportunities presented to those who have money. One who has decided to use those resources as a faithful steward can do many great and wonderful things in their life time.
How Have You Been Blessed By Wealthy Christians?
Here’s my list of ways I’ve been (am being) blessed by rich Christians.
- 100% of my salary comes from the freewill offering of fellow Christians.
- I’ve been offered to use a vacation home for my family – at no cost.
- My mortgage is 100% funded by Christian individuals (a long story for another time).
- People have taken my family out to eat on more occasions than I can count.
- While in college the generosity of others literally helped put food on our table.
- I’ve received numerous scholarships for private Christian education (funded by Christian individuals).
To be wealthy is not evil. To be wealthy means we have been entrusted with something from God.
When God gives us gifts I think he intends for those gifts to be a blessing. God wants wealth to bring us joy. When we see all we have it should remind us of how blessed we are. Appreciation and thanksgiving for each blessing is a much healthier response than guilt. For when we are guilty we cannot enjoy the gift God has given. While wealth can draw us away from God, through thanksgiving it can also enhance our relationship with God.
5 Things Every Rich Christians Should Do
This list includes the things I think are necessary of every rich Christian. If you have wealth, but one of these things is missing in your life, I’d encourage you to find away to incorporate it into your life.
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Rich Christians must acknowledge God as the Source of wealth.
When I look around at all of the many things I own it increases my appreciation. I am thankful and humbled in the presence of God. Each day before my family eats we thank God for the meal. In our prayers, we acknowledge that all we have is a gift from God because ultimately God is the source of every blessing we enjoy.
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Rich Christians should give God absolute ownership.
Though the bank account might have my name, I know the money is not my own. I am a steward put in a position to administer God’s funds. As a wealthy person I must seek God’s plan and purpose for my own money.
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Rich Christians use their position and influence for the kingdom.
God’s kingdom can be glorified through doctors, lawyers, and engineers who seek to use not just their money, but also their skills and gifts for the sake of others. One rich man I know teaches business courses overseas and another does surgeries overseas. They use their position and influence for the good of God’s kingdom.
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Rich Christians give generously from a genuine heart.
Barnabas graciously sold a field and laid the money at the feet of the apostles (Acts 4:36-37). The church in Philippi sent money to help Paul, the missionary (Phil. 4:14-18). Apphia and Archippus who opened their home for church meetings (Philemon 2).
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Rich Christians always give priority to people over things.
The Godly rich will never earn money at the expense of others. They will never seek to get things at the expense of others. There may be a way to earn more money, but if it doesn’t honor people, it is not worth considering. As such, the godly rich do not discriminate against the poor (James 2:3-4).
I struggle with this one because living overseas I’ve come to realize that I get attached to my stuff. When someone loses something that belongs to me, I take it personally as though they have done something against me. Slowly, I’m learning the lesson that people are more important than things.
If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? When he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. (Exodus 22:26-27 NIV)
To be rich is not evil, but to be rich without sensing a deep responsibility can be a very dangerous thing.
What ways has your life been blessed by wealthy Christians? What other critical traits would you add to this list?
Other Great Articles:
- Rich Young Man Bible Study: What’s The Meaning?
- The Dangers of Trying to Get Rich Quick:
- Rich Young Ruler: Challenging Bible Verses About Money
- Rich Young Ruler | Reflections on a Few Interpretive Options
- How We Earn Our Money Is Important
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post, Craig. As one who has spent 15 years working as a fundraiser for charity, I find I often have to defend the rich to others (particularly middle class folks who are often envious, therefore they judge). I have been so blessed to work with many of these people not only on their philanthropy with the organizations I have represented, but their lifestyle of helping people, organizations, opening their homes, etc. just as you described. We are all rich. It is just a matter of how many zeros we have at the end of the number. What do we EACH do with what we have been blessed?
@Scott
Thanks for sharing your unique perspective. I think the key is for all of us is to ask God how we can use what WE have to honor God. That seems like a much better idea than thinking about how THEY should use what THEY have.
Good stuff Craig – Recognizing the source of our blessing is key and realizing we are not owners, but merely stewards helps us keep money from becoming ultimate.
.-= Jason @ Redeeming Riches´s last blog ..3 Fun and Geeky Ways to Save With Your Email =-.
@Jason
I think your right about the importance of the source of our blessing. Just yesterday I was looking around my house and I though to myself – God has been so good to me. Then I realized that some people don’t credit God for what they have.
Craig,
Thanks for once again helping us keep our focus and priorities in line. I too am rich, and I believe that God wants me to feel positive about my wealth. Following these five steps will honor God, keep me humble and (Step 1) never let me forget that God is my ultimate source.
.-= Joe Plemon´s last blog ..Love and Money =-.
@oregonsun
Thanks so much for you comment. I also agree that your attitude is so important when it comes to getting out of debt.
I know this is a long shot but have no other choice than to ask and hope for the best.
My name is Ken and I am the father of a beautiful little girl the only problem is we both have a condition called ectodermal Dysplasia. Being I was taking the time off to help her and my sick mother with cancer I lost my job. I have nothing to my name and living in a car 95% of the time, this is true and not a joke and/or a scam. I have basically given up. This is my last chance by emailing you or else I will give up the hope that there is anyone decent in this world anymore.
We need financial help and a mentor. I would also like to better myself for her and to make it easier for me to find a job down the line. With my condition it is hard cause a lot of people don’t give me the chance or they just look at me like a freak.
I have been abandoned all my life from since I was a baby. I was adopted then as soon as I was grown up I was thrown to the curb. The only blood I know of is my little girl Mandy. I love her with all my heart and will do anything in my power to make sure she will be ok financially as well as loved.
I am begging of you please to give me the chance and get back to me so I can prove everything to you is the truth and maybe just maybe my prayers can be answered. You will never regret helping us that I can assure you. I need the chance to get back on my feet for my daughter. Without her I am nothing. Being I have no regular place to go to also I can not have my daughter with me and can only see her for a short time. I need that to change.
Please I will even work it off in any way possible. Just please help me financially and by being a mentor. I beg of you.
God Bless and hope I hear from you.
I will then give you any info you need. I am very serious and can prove anything.
Looking for a deeper meaning and ways to draw rich nominal christians to God.
Hello Craig,
I read that you recieved scholarships for schooling. My wife is currently enrolled in a bible college that is not accredited. I am looking for places to contact for financial help. Could you direct me to where we could go. We really do not want to go into debt for this. Our future plans are to go to Africa and start a school. I am currently in Environmental Engineering that is totally paid for, but our income is not all that high. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jeff
Jeff,
Thanks for visiting MH4C and leaving a comment. All my scholarships came directly through the school where I attended. The admissions adviser just told me which I could apply for. I know that is not much help for you. I’d suggest trying to Google something, but you’ll probably not be eligible for a Bible college that is not accredited. Instead you might contact churches or Christians you know to see if they might sponsor you.
Hello Craig. My name is Dave and i am 25 happliy married man of God and I just want to say we like the article and keep up the good work. Stay encouraged God is doing some awesome things for my wife and i even in the midst of our famine we stay strong because we know he has more. we also look foward to becomming wealthy balanced christians too someday soon. maybe one day we can exchange testimonies on what we had to go through to recieve such blessings. well stay bless and talk to you soon.
Dave,
It’s a pleasure to meet you. Thanks for checking out MH4C.
I look forward to hearing you success story.
MARTHATEKLU from ethiopia
Thanks for once again helping us keep our focus and priorities in line. I too am rich, and I believe that God wants me to feel positive about my wealth. Following these five steps will honor God, keep me humble and (Step 1) never let me forget that God is my ultimate source
God blees you
My name is Ken and we are suffering from a disease that is not good at all. We are suffering financially and soon will be on the street. But no matter what Jesus is in my heart and I pray every day things will change. I know deep down inside an Angel will be brought to us to offer any support they can. I just hope and pray some day soon. God bless you and hope all is well.
Splendid explication Craig. The article demonstrates how wealth can be put to good
use by the wealthy who have a caring heart or are able to assist others. The wealthy
have their own financial (expenditure) issues just like everyone else. It is wrong when persons are quick to judge others when they do not have the real facts. Nonetheless,
persons can find fault with the wealthy for varied reasons: they might be ignorant, be pessimists, or hateful, envious, have differing perspectives, different upbringing,norms,
culture, religion, country’s laws, education,etc. There will always be critics and no one can please all at the same time. God created all of us for a reason and even though we are equal we are yet different. We all have the right to contribute to our planet since we are the children of God.
“Both low and high, rich and poor, together.”
~Psalm 49:2
God bless you
all!
Craig, I was impressed with your attempt to cover the topic because, I see this as an eternal struggle for Christians. Should we pursue wealth and if so, how should we handle it once we have it? Yet, I was quite surprised when I read your list of five things. No where in your article did ever mention Tithing – at all. Yes, the Bible is quite specific about matters when it comes to wealth and money and one thing that there is no mistaking is the Tithe.
MAL 3:8 – Breaking Covenant by Withholding Tithes –
“I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse–your whole nation–because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty.
So, even though your intent may start out good, you need to give back to God a minimum of ten percent of everything that he has given to you. Remember, just as important, is that you cannot become attached to your wealth because as referenced below in Matthew, as Godly a life as you may lead, you’re not going to Heaven unless you are willing to part with it and wealthy people often choose money over God.
MAT 19:16-24 – The Rich and the Kingdom of God –
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony,
19 honor your father and mother,’[a] and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.
24 Again I tell you, 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.”
So, Craig, as much as I appreciated your attempt and wish that it were that simple. Dealing with wealth and remaining a good Christian is truly a balancing act. Fortunately for me, I am currently unemployed and have have no extra money so, I don’t have to worry about this. However, I am blessed for the things that I do have and when God helps me back to me feet and if he sees fit to entrust me with wealth, I will be on the right track to handle it in a manner that is pleasing to him. Thank for the article.
Take care and good luck.
Jim
Jim,
. I guess that is the overall theme of the blog so I didn’t specifically mention it in this post.
Good catch. I’m surprised I didn’t mention anything about giving